Tag: comida criolla

Holiday Recipes, Main Dishes

Puerto Rican Rice Pasteles – Vegan

by Mariela3 Comments on Puerto Rican Rice Pasteles – Vegan
Puerto Rican Rice Pasteles – Vegan

These Puerto Rican Rice Pasteles are a delicious vegan version of the traditional Puerto Rican pasteles. These are perfect for the holidays or any celebration.

What are Pasteles?

Pasteles can be hard to described. They are often compared to Mexican tamales but they’re really different. However, there are some similarities. Like the way of wrapping them and the hard work. Pasteles are a traditional dish in Puerto Rico. Generally, they are served during the holidays.

Continue reading “Puerto Rican Rice Pasteles – Vegan” →

Appetizers, Main Dishes

Hummus de Gandules – Pigeon Peas Hummus

by Mariela7 Comments on Hummus de Gandules – Pigeon Peas Hummus
Hummus de Gandules – Pigeon Peas Hummus

This Hummus de Gandules – Pigeon Peas Hummus recipe is quick and easy to make, super-smooth and creamy with a traditional Puerto Rican flavor!

Hummus is one of my favorite foods. I tried “Hummus de Gandules” (Pigeon Peas hummus) a few years ago and since then I’ve been meaning to create my own. I used my Classic Garlic Hummus recipe but replace the chickpeas with pigeon peas. The results were amazing. This hummus de gandules tastes like the tropics. Of course, I added some of my Puerto Rican seasonings as well.

Even though I listed my ingredients in the recipe, feel free to adjust the seasonings. This recipe is great as an appetizer, spread, and even for your salads. I love making hummus wraps.

Let’s talk about how to make this hummus

Classic hummus calls for chickpeas, but you can experiment with other types of beans. For this recipe, I used pigeon peas.

Tahini Sauce, in my opinion, the best tahini is Trader Joe’s organic brand. Is creamy and easy to stir.

Taste and season. Give the hummus a taste and add in extra ingredients depending on your taste.

Instead of water, save the water of one of the pigeon peas can and use it for the recipe.

Mix and blend all the ingredients until smooth. For a creamier consistency add more tahini sauce and water.

Ways you can use this hummus:

  • Spread over your toast, sandwiches, and burgers.
  • As a dressing for your salads.
  • Mixed with pasta. It can be used as a sauce for hot noodles or cold pasta salads.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Wraps! Hummus wraps with kale and other veggies are so good!
  • Of course, you can always use it as a dip for your pita bread or veggies.

If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to take a picture and share it on my Facebook page or tag it #thehungrydragonfly on Instagram! I love seeing your creations!

Other Puerto Rican Recipes using Pigeon Peas:

ARROZ CON GANDULES VEGANO (VEGAN RICE AND PIGEON PEAS)

Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano

hummus de gandules

Hummus de Gandules - Pigeon Peas Hummus

Mariela
This Hummus de Gandules - Pigeon Peas Hummus recipe is quick and easy to make, super-smooth and creamy, and with a traditional Puerto Rican flavor!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, healthy snack, Snack
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 1 bowl
Calories

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans pigeon peas
  • 1/2 cup pigeon peas water save the water from 1 pigeon peas can
  • 1/2 cup tahini organic
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 lemon, squeezed
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Open pigeon peas cans. Save the water of one can and set it aside.
  • Wash and rinse pigeon peas. Set aside.
  • Add tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon, and olive oil. Puree until smooth.
  • Add pigeon peas and puree until creamy and smooth. For about 3-4 minutes.
  • Adjust the ingredients depending on your taste and desire consistency.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve and enjoy!
Keywords hummus, hummus de gandules, pigeon peas hummus, Puerto Rican Food

SHARE THE LOVE ON PINTEREST!

PIGEON PEAS HUMMUS

 

Appetizers, Breakfast, Main Dishes, Uncategorized

Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas de Pizza Vegan)

by Mariela2 Comments on Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas de Pizza Vegan)
Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas de Pizza Vegan)
Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Empanadas are crispy, flavorful finger food, snack, appetizer, or light meal. They have a crispy puff pastry shell and a delicious vegan pepperoni pizza filling. Plus they can be made gluten-free, baked, oil fry, or in the air fryer.

I used my puff pastry recipe for these vegan empanadas. Find it under my Vegan Quesitos recipe. Storebought empanada disks are a good option but they contain milk. If you follow a vegan diet it’s best if you make your own.

Continue reading “Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas de Pizza Vegan)” →

Appetizers, Holiday Recipes

Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos – Bacalaitos Veganos

by Mariela7 Comments on Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos – Bacalaitos Veganos
Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos – Bacalaitos Veganos

These Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos are crispy, fluffy, fish-free fritters that are great for any occasion. 

Bacalaitos are a staple in our Puerto Rican street food culture. You can find them everywhere around the island, especially at food stands, carnivals, and even at your church’s cafeteria. My grandmothers used to make them all the time. I never liked cod-fish, so I used to take it out of my fritter while eating them. These are regularly made using codfish, in Spanish “bacalao”.  Here’s my vegan version of these delicious cod-fish fritters.

This is my favorite fritter, even though I don’t make it often. How can you make a vegan version of bacalaitos? Well, the flavors of these fritters come from the marinade. As long as you marinate your protein substitute you will have an amazing crispy and fluffy fritter.

Continue reading “Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos – Bacalaitos Veganos” →

Main Dishes

Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano

by Mariela7 Comments on Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano
Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano

Puerto Rican Pigeon Peas Soup with Plantain Dumplings

Asopao is a Puerto Rican word for a stew thickened with rice. Asopaos of many different kinds are very popular in Puerto Rican cuisine.

Asopao de gandules is typically combined with onions, ham, sofrito, chicken stock, rice, tomato sauce, and olive oil. My version is completely vegan, but you can always add your favorite ingredients.

Plantain Dumplings – Bolitas de Platano

The plantain dumplings or bolitas de platanos are easy to make. You can chop the plantain in tiny pieces and shred it in a food processor, but I prefer to use a hand shredder. See the picture and video for more details.

Making Plantain Dumplings

This soup has a thick consistency and goes well with tostones on the side, but bread is always welcome. 

I hope you try this recipe and like it as much as much as I do! If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think! Leave a comment and don’t forget to take a picture and share it on my Facebook page or tag it #thehungrydragonfly on Instagram! I love seeing your creations!

Here’s the recipe:

Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano

printable-recipe-puerto-rican-pigeon-peas-soupDownload

Serving: 6 servings

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 40

Ingredients:

  Plantain Dumplings:

  • 1 green plantains – peeled and shredded in food processor or using a hand shredder
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • dash of salt

  Asopao – Soup

  • 1 can gandules – pigeon peas
  • 1-quart veggie broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup sofrito or green pepper, red pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro, finely diced
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cups short-grain rice
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 medium yellow potato, diced
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp nutritional yeast
  • ½ tsp sazon
  • olives and capers
  • 1 bay leave
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro for topping

Instructions:

  1. Form dumplings from a 1/2 tablespoonfuls of shredded plantain, garlic, and salt.  Set aside. See video and pictures for more details.
  2. In a large caldero or saucepan, combine the gandules and the veggie broth. Heat until boiling.
  3. While the stock and gandules boil, add the sofrito and cook about 4 more minutes. Add tomato sauce and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  4. Add the rest of the ingredients to the broth and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the soup has thickened. Add the cilantro just before serving.
  5. Asopao is a thick soup perfect for rainy days!

SHARE THE LOVE ON PINTEREST