Spanish Rice                            

     Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter or low fat substitute)

    ¾ to 1 pound lean ground meat (of course, optional)

    1 medium onion -- chopped

    1 green (or red) bell pepper -- chopped

    1 small squash, unpeeled – sliced about ¼ inch (optional but recommended)

    ½ can small black or stuffed green olives (or both) – chopped (optional)

    1 tablespoon pimentos

    ½ can corn

    3 cups chicken stock

    1 (14 oz.) can diced or stewed tomatoes

    1 cup long-grain white rice -- uncooked

    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

    1/2 teaspoon chili powder

    1/2 teaspoon thyme

    1/4 teaspoon Puerto Rican hot sauce (optional)

    1/4 teaspoon paprika 

    1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper – (optional)

     salt and black pepper -- to taste

     Directions

  In a skillet, add olive oil (or melted butter) over medium  heat.

  Add ground meat, onion and green pepper and cook until

 meat is browned and vegetables are tender.

  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat,

 stir, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 to 20

 minutes.  Garnish with Fresh Parsley.  Serves 4 

       Ready in: 30-40 minutes      Difficulty: 3

  (1=easiest ::  hardest=5)

   Serving Suggestion

    Serve along with side dish of Plantano Maduro Frito or Tostones

Plantano Maduro Frito 

     Ingredients

  2 Fully ripened Plantains (soft to the touch, and have more

 black than yellow skin)

  (4 medium size bananas with firm consistency can be  substituted)

  Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

  Slice the plantain (lengthwise or crosswise – your choice)

 about ½ inch thick (If you choose to prepare lengthwise,

 you may wish to cut the plaintain in half)

  Heat oil in large skillet (teflon is great for this) over medium heat, it is not necessary for the oil to cover the plaintain, but it should be enough to come halfway up the sides of the plantain slices

  Using a spatula, turn the slices over when the sides start to

 look dark brown. Take a peek at the bottom also. If the heat

 is too high, they may burn! Plantanos will cook quickly

  Remove the slices from the oil when both sides are done,

 drain on paper towel.

  Wait for the plaintains to cool slightly before serving. 

  The high sugar content will make them very hot.  Serves 4

     Ready in: 20 minutes      Difficulty: 2    

Serving Suggestion

        Paella                        

     Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter or low fat substitute)

    ¾ to 1 pound (total) peeled cocktail shrimp, calamari, octopus, crab, lobster (your favorite seafood)

    1 medium onion -- chopped

    1 green (or red) bell pepper -- chopped

    ½ can small black or stuffed green olives (or both) – chopped (optional )

   1 tablespoon pimentos

    ½ can corn

    3 cups chicken stock

    1 (14 oz.) can diced or stewed tomatoes

    1 cup long-grain white rice -- uncooked

    1/2 teaspoon rosemary

    1/4 teaspoon Puerto Rican hot sauce (optional)

    1/4 teaspoon paprika 

    1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper – (optional)

     salt and black pepper -- to taste

     Directions

    In a skillet, add olive oil (or melted butter) over medium  heat.

  Add seafood, onion and green pepper and cook until

 seafood is done and vegetables are tender.

  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat,

 stir, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 to 20

 minutes.  Garnish with Fresh Parsley.  Serves 4 

       Ready in: 30-40 minutes      Difficulty: 3

  (1=easiest ::  hardest=5)

   Serving Suggestion

    Serve along with side dish of Plantano Maduro Frito  or Tostones

Basic Mofungo 

Ingredients

  4 Green Plantains or Large Green Bananas              
  3 Minced Garlic Cloves
  1 Pinch salt
  Oil for cooking

     Directions

  Cut into 1/2 inch slices crosswise

  In a deep fryer or frying pan, heat 1 ½ inches of vegetable

 oil to approximately 350 degrees (F). Fry plantains until firm,

 but not hard -about 4 minutes

  Remove and drain on paper towel

  Add salt and garlic cloves

  Mash the plantains, salt and garlic cloves in a bowl or food

 processor    

  Form into small balls or disks and serve as a side dish or  use

 as base for detailed recipes such as "Mofongo de  Camarones (Shrimp)"

  Makes 4 Servings

Serving Suggestion

   Easy to modify by adding small amounts of  your  favorites to the mixture: diced pork or beef, bacon, ham, shrimp, or your favorite seafood or vegetables.

  Can be formed into small bowls in a muffin pan, baked for

several minutes then filled with your favorite prepared stuffing.