Arroz con Calamares (Puerto Rican Calamari Rice)
Arroz con Calamares is a vibrant Puerto Rican dish that is rich in flavor. Aromatic vegetables and fragrant spices are sautéed with tomato paste, capers and squid in its ink. Easily recreate at home for an authentic taste of Puerto Rico.
Written By César Pérez | Sep 16, 2021
Ingredients
Arroz con Calamares (Puerto Rican Calamari Rice)
- Short Grain Rice, 2, cups,,calaspara-rice,
- Garlic, 5, cloves,,,
- Cubanelle Pepper, 1 ,,,
- Ají Dulce (small sweet peppers), 4,,,
- Culantro, 5, Leaves,(can substitute jarred for fresh),inca-foods-culantro-paste,
- Cilantro, 5, Stems,,,
- Medium Yellow Onion, ½, Chopped,,,
- Medium Red Onion, ½, Chopped,,,
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 4, Tablespoons,,hellenic-farms-greek-extra-virgin-olive-oil-16-9,
- Bay Leaf, 1,,,turkish-bay-leaves
- Capers, 2, Tablespoons,,delicias-caperberries-in-brine,
- Calamari in ink, 2, tins,sliced into rings,la-brujala-squid-ink,
- Tomato Paste, 1, Tablespoon,,hlthpunk-pure-tomato-double-concentrate-tomato-paste-tube-5-3-oz,
- Dried Oregano, 1, Teaspoon,,daphnis-and-chloe-sea-isle-oregano-2oz,
- Dried Thyme, 1, Teaspoon,,dried-thyme,
- Smoked Sweet Spanish Paprika, 1, teaspoon,,smoked-sweet-spanish-paprika,
- Cumin Seeds, ½, Teaspoon Toasted,,whole-roasted-cumin-seeds,
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste,,,,,
- Pilsner, 1, Can,,,
- Banana Leaf or aluminum foil, For Steaming,,,,
Directions:
- Wash and rinse rice in cold water until water begins to run clear, about 5 minutes.
- Finely chop garlic, peppers, culantro, cilantro, and onions.
- In a medium caldero (aluminum cauldron) or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, peppers, culantro, cilantro, onions, bay leaves, and capers. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sliced calamari and its ink, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté for an additional minute.
- Fold in washed rice and let toast for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in can of pilsner and extra water if necessary until liquid reaches an inch above the surface of the rice. Taste liquid, taking this time to add more salt or pepper if necessary.
- Give one good stir, making sure to stir from the bottom to the top of the rice. Allow liquid to reduce undisturbed until it reaches the surface of the rice, about 5 minutes.
- Once liquid has reduced, give one final stir and reduce heat to low. Cover rice with banana leaf or aluminum foil and cover. Allow to cook undisturbed for 20-25 minutes. Pro tip: Don’t peak! The secret to perfect rice is to let it be during the cooking process. No additional stirring or uncovering of the pot.
- Remove pot from heat and allow to rest undisturbed for an additional 5 minutes.
- Uncover rice and fluff with a fork. Serve with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a final pinch of paprika, and a few charred lemon wedges.
