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Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Piñón

A Puerto Rican comfort-food classic that brings together the sweetness of perfectly ripe fried plantains, richly seasoned ground beef, and layers of melted, golden-brown cheese. Inspired by both traditional and modern Puerto Rican piñón versions, this recipe builds its savory picadillo with homemade sofrito, adobo, sazón, tomato sauce, and a touch of capers for a bright, briny contrast. Tender green beans pay homage to older island preparations, while a little mozzarella and beaten egg bring everything together into a beautifully layered casserole.

Total time:2 hrServings:serves 6

Comfort FoodMeal Prep

Russell Toris@russelltoris

Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Christmas Pernil

A traditional-style Puerto Rican Christmas pernil made with bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder seasoned with garlic, oregano, black pepper, olive oil, vinegar, and salt, then marinated overnight and slow-roasted until tender. The pork is finished at high heat so the exterior becomes deeply roasted and the cuerito turns crisp and blistered. This version stays close to an older Puerto Rican Pernil al Horno seasoning profile while adapting the preparation to the skin-on pork shoulder commonly served for Christmas.

Total time:1 day 6 hrServings:serves 8

HolidayRoastedWinter

Russell Toris@russelltoris

Spanish · SauceDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Sofrito

Puerto Rican cooking became meaningful to me through my partner, who first got me interested in the dishes, flavors, and home-cooking traditions behind the food. Sofrito quickly became one of the staples I wanted to understand rather than simply reproduce, so I started comparing older Puerto Rican recipes with the fresh blended versions more common today and eventually landed on this one: onion, green pepper, ají dulce, garlic, cilantro, culantro, oregano, oil, and optional cured ham, cooked down before freezing for a deeper, more savory flavor. It is practical enough to portion into cubes and keep on hand, but still rooted in the kind of traditional cooking that made me want to learn Puerto Rican food in the first place.

Total time:45 minServings:serves 12

Meal Prep

Russell Toris@russelltoris

Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Arroz con Pollo

A comforting, deeply seasoned Puerto Rican-style chicken and rice made in one pot with salt pork, cured ham, sweet peppers, culantro, olives, capers, tomato, and achiote. The chicken marinates in a garlicky oregano seasoning before slowly cooking with the rice, allowing every grain to absorb the savory flavors of the caldero. Peas and pimientos add the classic finishing touches to this generous, family-style meal.

Total time:1 day 1 hrServings:serves 8

One-Pot

Russell Toris@russelltoris