Puerto Rican Vegan Boiled Grains: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic

When you think of Puerto Rican cuisine, you often imagine vibrant flavors, rich textures, and a blend of cultural influences that make every dish a culinary adventure. Today, we’re going to give a classic boiled grains recipe a delicious Puerto Rican vegan twist, incorporating some of the island’s iconic flavor blends and ingredients.

The Magic of Puerto Rican Cuisine

Puerto Rican cuisine is a melting pot of flavors, with influences from the indigenous Taíno people, Spanish colonizers, and African traditions. At the heart of this cuisine are three essential spice blends: Sazón, Adobo, and Sofrito. These blends are the backbone of Puerto Rican cooking and will elevate our boiled grains to a new level of flavor.

Ingredients

For this recipe, we’ll be using a combination of grains, vegetables, and the quintessential Puerto Rican spice blends.

• Grains:
  • 1 cup of brown rice
  • 1 cup of quinoa
  • 1 cup of black beans, cooked (or 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed)
  • 2 cups of vegetable broth
  • 1 cup of water
• Vegetables:
  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes)
  • 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• Puerto Rican Spice Blends:
  • 2 tablespoons of Sofrito (see below for homemade Sofrito recipe)
  • 1 teaspoon of Sazón (see below for homemade Sazón recipe)
  • 1 teaspoon of Adobo (see below for homemade Adobo recipe)
• Optional:
  • 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika for added smokiness
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar to balance flavors (optional)

Homemade Puerto Rican Spice Blends

Sofrito

• 1 bunch culantro (recao leaves)
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 6–8 ají dulce peppers (or substitute with cubanelle or bell peppers)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 head garlic, peeled
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2–3 ripe tomatoes or 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (optional)

Roughly chop all ingredients and blend in a food processor until smooth. Freeze in ice cube trays for long-term use.

Sazón

• 1 tbsp ground annatto (achiote)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container.

Adobo

• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in a sealed container.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sofrito:
   • If using frozen Sofrito cubes, thaw them first. If not, blend the fresh ingredients together as described above.
2. Heat the Oil:
   • In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
3. Cook the Aromatic Base:
   • Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the Sofrito and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture is fragrant.
4. Add the Spice Blends:
   • Stir in the Sazón and Adobo. Cook for 1 minute to allow the spices to meld with the vegetables.
5. Add the Grains and Liquid:
   • Add the brown rice, quinoa, black beans, vegetable broth, water, diced tomatoes, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir well to combine.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Simmer:
   • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes or until the grains are tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
7. Finish with Fresh Herbs:
   • Stir in the chopped cilantro and a splash of apple cider vinegar (if using) to balance the flavors.
8. Serve:
   • Serve the boiled grains hot, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

Adding Protein: Optional

If you want to add a protein source to this dish, you can use cooked beans (as we already have), or consider adding TVP (textured vegetable protein), tofu, or tempeh. TVP is particularly popular in Puerto Rico and is an affordable and easy-to-find option.

Cultural Significance

This dish embodies the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine—a harmonious blend of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. The use of Sofrito, Sazón, and Adobo not only adds depth and color to the dish but also connects us to the rich culinary heritage of the island.

Enjoy your delicious and culturally rich Puerto Rican Vegan Boiled Grains, a dish that is both nourishing and flavorful

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