Friday, August 8, 2008

What to make when your Puerto Rican mother in law comes for lunch.

Make some sofrito.
Something with beans in a tortilla.
And some rice....

Sofrito
Adapted from Daisy Cooks (not vegan-PBS show chef)

1 big onion
1 big green bell pepper
1 big red bell pepper (or orange or yellow)
1-2 heads garlic (10-20 garlic cloves)
1 bunch cillantro
1 cup chopped tomato (fresh or canned-drained)

Chop everything in a food processor. Store in 1/2 cup portions in ziploc bags in the freezer.

Annatto oil
1/2 cup corn oil (or olive oil or whatever oil you like or have on hand)
1 TBS annatto seeds

Heat oil and seeds on mediun heat until seeds make sizzle-pop sound. Remove from heat, strain and use oil for latin flavor and red/yellow color.

Black bean and greens quesadillas

1 cup black beans
1 bunch greens (swiss chard, beet greens, spinach-yes, you can use canned or frozen)
1/2 cup sofrito
1-2 TBS annatto oil

1 package corn tortillas (or fajita size flour)

Saute ingredents together (except the tortillas, obviously) until greens are wilted/cooked.
Heat fry pan and add a some annatto oil to cover. Add tortilla flat and put black bean mixture on half. Fold in half and flip to crisp both sides.

Chipotle mayo
1 TBS vegan mayo (veganaise)
1tsp chipotle powder

Mix together and serve a dolop with quesadillas.

Spanishish rice

1 cup long grain (brown) rice
1 Tbs annatto oil
1/4 cup pitted alcaparrado (fancy name for olives with pimentos and capers)
1/2 cup sofrito

Cook rice according to package directions. When done add oil, olives and capers (and a little extra brine if you like) and sofrito. Mix together to heat through.

Serve it all together and wait for praise. Expect to send some home for father in law.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm sorry but we Puerto Ricans do not eat beans in a tortilla, you just insulted her pride calling her Mexican.