2 1/2 cups long grain white rice
5 cups water
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 tbsp. sofrito (jarred or make your own by dicing onion, bell pepper (any kind), garlic, cilantro and tomato)
1/4 cup chopped bacon
1/4 cup chopped ham or sausage
2 tbsp. Spanish olives
1 can green or dry pigeon peas, drained
1 env. Sazon with annato
1/2 tsp. ground oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. tomato paste
salt and black pepper, to taste

Start by heating the oil in a pot at high heat, and when the oil is nice and hot, add the bacon. When the bacon is cooked but not crisp, add the ham/sausage. Once that has browned, add the Sofrito. This must stir fry all together for about 1 minute.

After that has been done add the water, then the peas, the olives, the tomato paste, and all the spices, including the envelope of Sazon.

At that point, add salt and pepper to taste. Bring this up to a boil then stir in rice.

Once it has began to boil again, lower heat and stir 1 more time, then cover.

Let this cook for about 30 to 40 minutes on a low heat setting, stirring occasionally (every 10 minutes) until the rice is tender. Serve.

Submitted by: Yasmin Hernandez