¾ pounds raw green pigeon peas 3 cups water
(used to precook the green pigeon peas) 2 cups white rice 2
ounces diced smoked ham 2 tablespoons corn oil ½ cup
sofrito ¼ cup tomato sauce 1 teaspoon salt
For soaking
the green pigeon peas: 1 quart water 2 teaspoons
salt
Soak the raw green pigeon peas in 1 quart of water and 2 teaspoons
of salt for about 15 minutes.
Rinse them and cook in 4 cups of water until they have softened. (TIP)
In a 4 quart cooking pan, add the oil and smoked ham and simmer over
moderate heat for about 3 minutes while stirring.
Add the sofrito and tomato sauce and simmer for another 3 minutes
while continuing to stir.
Turn up the heat to moderate high and add 2 tablespoons of the water
that was set aside and the green pigeon peas. Simmer for 3 minutes while
continuing to stir.
Raise the heat to high and add the water that was set aside. Once
the water boils, add the rice.
Mix all the items well. Once the water starts to boil again, reduce
the heat to moderate high and cook uncovered until most of the water has
evaporated.
Reduce the heat to low, stir the rice again, then cover the pot with
aluminum foil and put the lid on.
Cook for 15 minutes. Stir the rice and continue to cook until done.
Sample the rice to see if it is done. It should be soft to chew. Makes
approximately 6 servings.