Caribbean Yellow Rice and Pink Beans

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sofrito and lightly fry for about 1 minute.

3. Add the sazón, salt, beans, and rice. Stir to combine the ingredients and coat the rice with color.

4. Pour in the water (or chicken broth) and bring to a rolling boil. Allow to boil for 1 to 2 minutes and then stir the rice mixture.

5. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid that will not allow steam to escape. Do not lift the lid during the cooking time.

6. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and put the lid back on. Let sit a few minutes before serving as a side dish.

All About Sofrito

A sofrito is a blend of herbs and spices used to season countless dishes, such as stews, beans, rice, and occasionally meat.

Sofritos exist in Latin Caribbean and other Latin American countries and comes from the Spanish word which means "to fry something." 

Spanish sofrito uses tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, paprika, and olive oil. Caribbean versions range from green to orange to bright red and vary in heat from mild to pungent to spicy.

In the Dominican Republic, sofrito is called sazón and is made with vinegar and annatto for color. In Puerto Rico, sofrito is called recaito and it includes the herb culantro and ajies dulces (sweet chile peppers).

In Cuba, sofrito is made with tomatoes, red bell peppers, and ham. In the Yucatan area of Mexico, sofritos are extra-spicy with the addition of habaneros.

Sofritos can be added at the start of cooking but, in other recipes, it isn’t added until the end of the cooking. And in still other recipes, it's used as a topping sauce for grilled meats and fish. 

To further confuse things, an Italian sofritto is made with chopped celery, green peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs sautéed in olive oil and used to season soups, sauces, and meat dishes.