PIGEON PEA RICE (ARROZ DE GANDULES)

Pigeon Pea Rice (Arroz de Gandules) image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Time 2h10m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound dried pigeon peas, picked through and rinsed
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup achiote oil, recipe follows
1 medium white onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
1 cubanella or Italian green pepper, cored and diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 cups long-grain rice
1/2 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons achiote/annatto seeds

Steps:

Put the pigeon peas and bay leaves in a large pot, cover with 3 quarts of cold water, and place over medium heat. Cover and cook the beans until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Check the water periodically; add more, f necessary, to keep the peas covered. Drain the pigeon peas and reserve 4 cups of the cooking liquid.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Coat a large Dutch oven or other ovenproof pot with the achiote oil and place over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke, add the onion, garlic, and peppers. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the vegetables have softened, without letting them brown. Pour in the chicken broth and continue to cook until the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Mix in the rice and reserved pigeon peas. Pour in the reserved 4 cups of pigeon pea cooking liquid, lime juice, and salt; stir everything together. Cover and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
To make the achiote oil, pour the oil and achiote seeds in a pot or skillet. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes; the oil will be reddish-orange from the achiote. Strain the oil, discard the achiote seeds and set aside to cool.