Moro De Guandules Dominicano Recipe
This Moro de Guandules Dominicano Recipe is a flavorful one-pot rice dish featuring pigeon peas, garlic, bell peppers, cilantro, and sazón. A traditional Dominican favorite, perfect for pairing with meats, seafood, or fried plantains.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
- ¼ red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 3 teaspoons sazón seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 15-ounce can green pigeon peas, drained
- ¼ cup manzanilla olives sliced (optional)
- Kosher salt to taste
- 3 cups long-grain white rice rinsed
- 3 cups water
Instructions
Prepare the Base
- In a large, heavy-bottomed caldero or cast-iron pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once heated, add the cilantro, garlic, bell pepper, and onion. Sauté for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes fragrant and the vegetables begin to soften.
Incorporate the Seasonings and Pigeon Peas
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sazón seasoning, oregano, black pepper, and bay leaf. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add the pigeon peas and the olives, if using, stirring to ensure they are evenly distributed in the mixture.
Add Water and Bring to a Boil
- Pour in 3 cups of water and stir well. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then season with salt according to taste.
Add the Rice and Simmer
- Gently stir in the rinsed rice, ensuring it is fully submerged in the liquid. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the rice to simmer for 25 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Steam and Fluff the Rice
- Once the rice has absorbed the liquid, turn off the heat but leave the lid on. Let the rice steam for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow it to fully soften. Remove the bay leaf, then gently fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
- Serve warm as a flavorful side dish, paired with your favorite meats, seafood, or vegetables.
Notes
This Moro de Guandules Dominicano Recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, to ensure it remains entirely gluten-free:
- Check the sazón seasoning to confirm it does not contain added gluten or fillers. Some store-bought spice blends may include additives that contain gluten.
- Use certified gluten-free tomato sauce to prevent any cross-contamination.
- Confirm that the olives (if using) do not contain additives that may include gluten.