The habichuelas or red kidney beans can be substituted for garbanzo or black beans. To give a special toque to this dish, use Spanish chorizo instead of ham. Try adding some pieces of chopped ripe plantain for a little sweetness.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the ham. Sauté for several minutes, until the ham has begun to turn golden brown.
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup smoked ham
Stir-in the rice and beans. Mix the ingredients well–the rice will turn a bit brown with the broth from the beans.
4 cups cooked white rice, 1 lb red kidney beans
Last, add the sweet peppers and the cilantro to the mixture. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.
1/4 cup green bell pepper, 1/4 cup red bell pepper, 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup fresh culantro or cilantrillo, 4 sweet peppers
Serve hot alongside your favorite side dish.
Notes
Use high-quality ingredients: This recipe relies on the flavors of fresh vegetables and good quality ham. Be sure to use fresh, ripe peppers and high-quality ham to achieve the best flavor.
Add fresh cilantro: The addition of fresh cilantro or culantrillo adds a bright and fresh flavor to the dish. Be sure to use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
Customize the beans: You can substitute garbanzo or black beans for the red kidney beans to create a different flavor profile. You can also add more or less beans depending on your preference.
Customize the protein: While smoked ham is the traditional protein used in this dish, you can also use Spanish chorizo or another type of smoked sausage for a different flavor.
Try adding ripe plantain: For a little sweetness, try adding chopped ripe plantain to the dish. This adds a unique twist to the traditional recipe.
Serve with other Puerto Rican dishes: For a complete Puerto Rican meal, serve Arroz Mamposteao alongside other traditional dishes like pasteles or tostones.
Leftovers: This dish can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick and easy meal the next day. Simply reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
Did You Like This Recipe?Take a picture and mention us on Pintrest @HispanicFoodNetwork or tag it with #hispanic_food_network! Don't forget to subscribe to our email list for more recipes!