5 Must-Try Puerto Rican Recipes on YouTube

Introduction to Puerto Rican Cuisine

Puerto Rican cuisine is a delightful fusion of indigenous Taino, Spanish, African, and other influences, creating a unique and vibrant culinary tradition. Whether you’re looking to dive into the rich flavors of the island or add a tropical flair to your cooking repertoire, exploring Puerto Rican recipes through YouTube can be both educational and incredibly delicious. Here are five must-try Puerto Rican recipes that you can easily follow from YouTube videos:

Recipe 1: Arroz con Gandules

Arroz con Gandules, often referred to as the quintessential Puerto Rican dish, is a flavorful blend of rice, pigeon peas, and a medley of spices including sofrito, sazón, and olives.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups medium grain rice
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 can of pigeon peas (gandules)
  • 1 tablespoon annatto oil or olive oil
  • ¹⁄₂ cup sofrito
  • 1 packet of sazón with culantro and achiote
  • ¹⁄₄ cup of tomato sauce
  • ¹⁄₂ cup pimento-stuffed olives
  • Salt to taste

• Preparation Steps:

  1. Heat the oil: In a large pot, heat the annatto oil over medium heat. If using olive oil, add annatto seeds and strain after infusing the color.
  2. Sofrito: Add the sofrito to the hot oil, cooking until it becomes aromatic.
  3. Add spices and sauce: Mix in the sazón packet, tomato sauce, olives, and salt.
  4. Rice and Pigeon Peas: Add the rice, stirring to coat it in the seasoned oil. Then, pour in the water or broth and the pigeon peas.
  5. Simmer and cook: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the rice is tender.

🍴 Note: This dish is often prepared in large quantities as it's a staple at family gatherings and special occasions.

Recipe 2: Alcapurrias

Alcapurrias are fritters made from yucca and plantain dough filled with a seasoned ground meat mixture. Here’s how to make them:

• Ingredients:

  • 2 green plantains
  • ¹⁄₂ lb yucca
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 lb ground beef or pork
  • Sofrito (2-3 tablespoons)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • Oil for frying

• Preparation Steps:

  1. Dough: Grate the plantains and yucca. Combine in a bowl with water and salt, mixing until you achieve a dough consistency.
  2. Filling: In a skillet, brown the meat with sofrito, onions, and bell peppers. Season with salt.
  3. Forming the Alcapurrias: Take a handful of the dough, flatten it in your palm, place some filling in the center, and fold the dough over to seal. Flatten into an oval shape.
  4. Fry: Deep fry the alcapurrias until they are golden brown on both sides.

Recipe 3: Mofongo

Mofongo is a popular dish made from fried green plantains mashed with garlic, pork cracklings (chicharrón), and other ingredients, forming a dense, flavor-packed mixture.

• Ingredients:

  • 4-6 green plantains
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • ¹⁄₂ cup pork cracklings (chicharrón)
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: cooked pork, shrimp, or chicken for stuffing

• Preparation Steps:

  1. Fry the Plantains: Cut the plantains into 1-inch rounds. Fry them until they are golden, then smash and fry again to create the ‘tostones’.
  2. Mash: In a pilon (or large mortar and pestle), mash the tostones with garlic, chicharrón, salt, and pepper until well mixed.
  3. Mold: Shape the mofongo into individual cups or a large mound. If desired, fill with protein of your choice.

🍤 Note: You can vary the filling with seafood, pork, or even vegetarian options like avocado or mushrooms.

Recipe 4: Pernil (Roast Pork)

Pernil is a slow-roasted pork shoulder, seasoned to perfection and served with rice, beans, or in a sandwich.

• Ingredients:

  • 6-8 lbs pork shoulder (pernil)
  • Adobo seasoning mix
  • Sazon packets
  • Oregano
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic cloves (several, smashed)

• Preparation Steps:

  1. Marinating: Coat the pork shoulder with olive oil, adobo, sazon, oregano, and garlic. Rub in well and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Roast: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the pork in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and cook for about 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C). Uncover and roast for an additional hour to crisp up the skin.

Recipe 5: Coquito

Coquito, the Puerto Rican version of eggnog, is a sweet, creamy drink perfect for holiday celebrations.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 can (12 oz) of evaporated milk
  • 1 can (14 oz) of condensed milk
  • 1 can (15 oz) of cream of coconut
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) of coconut milk
  • ¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¹⁄₂ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of rum (optional)

• Preparation Steps:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a blender, mix all the ingredients until smooth.
  2. Chill: Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Serve cold, garnished with cinnamon.

Final Thoughts: Exploring Puerto Rican cuisine through these YouTube recipes offers a delightful journey into a world of bold flavors and hearty dishes. Each recipe not only tantalizes the taste buds but also connects us with the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico. By following these detailed steps, you can bring a piece of the island into your kitchen, enjoying authentic Puerto Rican recipes with all the vibrancy they’re known for. Whether it’s the comforting arroz con gandules, the intriguing textures of mofongo, or the festive drink of coquito, these dishes are sure to enrich your cooking skills and your culinary adventures.