Flavors of Puerto Rico Variety Food Box (June)

Discover the vibrant tastes of the Caribbean with our Flavors of Puerto Rico subscription box, exclusively at Backyard Gardener. Recipe included below.

This carefully curated box includes

1 lb mixed fruits (dragon fruit, mango, papaya)

1 lb amaranth greens,

12 oz Puerto Rican coffee,

4 oz adobo seasoning,

4 oz sazón seasoning,

1 lb dried grandules,

14 oz guava paste,

5 oz plantain chips,

1 lb yautia,

10 oz local honey,

and bonus cacao nibs.

Enhance your culinary adventures with the accompanying recipe card and cultural note, offering insightful tips and authentic recipes.

Each ingredient is selected for its natural purity and quality, aligning with our commitment to providing the best natural foods. Elevate your cooking with these genuine Puerto Rican flavors!

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Let’s create a vibrant, Puerto Rican-inspired recipe using the carefully curated items from your Sabor de Puerto Rico Box! The box includes a delightful mix of fresh and shelf-stable ingredients: 1 lb mixed fruits (dragon fruit, mango, papaya), 1 lb amaranth greens, 12 oz Puerto Rican coffee, 4 oz adobo seasoning, 4 oz sazón seasoning, 1 lb dried gandules (pigeon peas), 14 oz guava paste, 5 oz plantain chips, 1 lb yautía, 10 oz local honey, and a bonus cacao nibs.

Since this box has a mix of fresh produce, pantry staples, and a few unique ingredients, I’ll craft a recipe that highlights the flavors of Puerto Rico while incorporating as many items as possible. Let’s go with a two-part meal: a savory dish featuring the amaranth greens, gandules, and yautía, followed by a dessert that uses the tropical fruits, guava paste, honey, and cacao. We’ll also suggest a coffee pairing to round out the experience.

Sabor de Puerto Rico Meal: Gandules and Amaranth Stew with Yautía Mash, Followed by a Tropical Fruit and Cacao Dessert

Part 1: Gandules and Amaranth Stew with Yautía Mash

This hearty stew combines the earthy flavors of gandules and amaranth greens with the starchy comfort of yautía, seasoned with adobo and sazón for an authentic Puerto Rican taste.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

•  For the Stew:

•  1 cup dried gandules (pigeon peas) (from the 1 lb bag)

•  1 lb amaranth greens, washed and roughly chopped

•  2 tbsp olive oil (pantry staple)

•  1 small onion, diced (pantry staple)

•  2 cloves garlic, minced (pantry staple)

•  1 tbsp adobo seasoning (from the 4 oz packet)

•  1 tsp sazón seasoning (from the 4 oz packet)

•  4 cups water or vegetable broth

•  Salt and pepper to taste

•  For the Yautía Mash:

•  1 lb yautía, peeled and cubed

•  2 tbsp butter (pantry staple)

•  1/4 cup milk or coconut milk (pantry staple)

•  Salt to taste

Instructions:

1.  Prepare the Gandules:

•  Rinse 1 cup of dried gandules thoroughly. In a medium pot, cover the gandules with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside. (Tip: Soaking the gandules overnight can reduce cooking time to about 30 minutes.)

2.  Cook the Stew:

•  In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

•  Stir in the adobo and sazón seasonings, cooking for another 30 seconds to release their flavors.

•  Add the cooked gandules and 4 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

•  Add the chopped amaranth greens, stirring them into the stew. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the greens are wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.  Make the Yautía Mash:

•  While the stew simmers, peel and cube the yautía. Place the cubes in a pot of salted water and boil for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

•  Drain the yautía and return it to the pot. Add the butter, milk (or coconut milk for a tropical twist), and a pinch of salt. Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.

4.  Serve:

•  Spoon a generous portion of yautía mash onto each plate. Top with the gandules and amaranth stew. For a crunchy garnish, crumble a handful of plantain chips (from the 5 oz bag) over the stew just before serving.

Part 2: Tropical Fruit and Cacao Dessert with Guava and Honey Drizzle

This dessert showcases the vibrant mixed fruits (dragon fruit, mango, papaya), guava paste, local honey, and cacao in a refreshing and indulgent treat.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

•  1 lb mixed fruits (dragon fruit, mango, papaya), peeled and cubed

•  4 oz guava paste (from the 14 oz block), cut into thin slices

•  2 tbsp local honey (from the 10 oz jar)

•  1 tbsp cacao powder or nibs (from the bonus cacao item)

•  Optional: A pinch of sea salt (pantry staple)

Instructions:

1.  Prepare the Fruit:

•  Peel and cube the dragon fruit, mango, and papaya into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the fruit cubes in a serving bowl or on individual plates for a beautiful presentation.

2.  Add the Guava Paste:

•  Slice the guava paste into thin strips or small cubes. Scatter the pieces over the mixed fruits.

3.  Drizzle and Garnish:

•  Warm the honey slightly (microwave for 10 seconds or heat gently in a small pan) to make it easier to drizzle. Drizzle 2 tbsp of honey over the fruit and guava paste.

•  Sprinkle the cacao powder or nibs over the top for a rich, chocolatey contrast. If using cacao nibs, a pinch of sea salt can enhance the flavor.

4.  Serve:

•  Serve immediately as a refreshing dessert. The combination of sweet tropical fruits, tangy guava paste, floral honey, and earthy cacao creates a delightful balance of flavors.

Part 3: Coffee Pairing

To complete the experience, brew a cup of the 12 oz Puerto Rican coffee included in the box. Here’s how to make a classic café con leche to pair with your meal:

Café con Leche (Serves 4):

•  4 tbsp ground Puerto Rican coffee (from the 12 oz bag)

•  2 cups water

•  2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)

•  2–4 tsp sugar (to taste)

Instructions:

1.  Brew the coffee using a stovetop espresso maker (moka pot) or your preferred method. Add 4 tbsp of coffee grounds to 2 cups of water and brew until you have a strong coffee concentrate.

2.  In a small saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat until steaming (do not boil).

3.  Pour the brewed coffee into four cups, filling each about framed pictures and posters about 2/3 full. Top off with the steamed milk. Add sugar to taste and stir. Enjoy alongside your meal for a true Puerto Rican experience!

Why This Recipe Works

This meal celebrates the ingredients in your box while offering a balance of savory and sweet. The gandules and amaranth stew with yautía mash is hearty and comforting, showcasing Puerto Rican staples like adobo and sazón. The dessert highlights the tropical fruits, guava paste, and cacao, with honey tying it all together. The plantain chips add a crunchy texture to the stew, and the coffee brings a cultural touch to the meal. It’s a complete experience that reflects the flavors and spirit of Puerto Rico, perfect for everyone to enjoy!