Second Spin, Country 50: Dominican Republic [International Food]

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil provides a healthier fat profile.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Homemade broth enhances flavor without additives.

potatoes

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: yams

Sweet potatoes add nutrients and flavor.

lime juice

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice offers similar acidity and flavor.

Blend green bell pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, green onions, tomatillos, roma tomatoes, and garlic in a food processor.

Add cilantro and parsley to the mixture, blend, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.

Place chicken in a large bowl, cover with 1-2 cups of sofrito, add lemon juice, toss well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Mix chicken stock with tomato paste.

Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, and let it caramelize.

In batches, add chicken to the pan and brown on all sides.

Return chicken to the saucepan, add sofrito and lemon mixture, and the tomato paste stock mixture. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, add onion, and sauté until translucent.

Add oregano, garlic, sweet yellow pepper, and thyme, and cook for about a minute.

Drain pigeon peas, reserving the water, and add them to the pot, mashing them against the pot.

Add coconut milk and the reserved pigeon peas water, and any additional water if needed, along with diced pumpkin. Cook over medium heat until creamy, about 20 minutes.

Add minced cilantro and salt to the pigeon peas mixture.

In another saucepan, heat half of the vegetable oil over medium heat, add salt, and carefully add water to bring to a boil.

Slowly stir in the rice, stirring occasionally until the water evaporates, then cover and let sit on low heat for 15 minutes.

Stir in the remaining oil, taste, and if not yet tender, cover and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Plate servings of chicken, mound rice in ramekins, and serve pigeon peas alongside.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: