Arroz de Pajarito (Rice with Ripe Plantain) Recipe
Arroz de Pajarito is a traditional side dish form the Caribbean coast of Colombia. This rice with ripe plantain is a wonderful method to served with any protein. Arroz de Pajarito or Arroz con Plátano Maduro is a side dish popular in Colombia.
- 1 cup of rice
- 2 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 ripe plantain cut into small cubes
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil
- Cook the ripe plantain cubes in a pan with the oil until they are golden. Set aside.
- Place the rice in a medium saucepan. Then add the butter, water, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir once, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the ripe plantains and stir well. Cover again and keep cooking for about 10 minutes more. Remove the pan from the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice using a fork and serve immediately.
It’s a very simple and easy recipe to make, perfect for accompanying all sorts of Colombian main dishes. There are different variations of this dish, depending on the region of Colombia and the cook.
My method is a basic and popular variation, but some people will add coconut, garlic, onions or bacon to the mix. This recipe originated in Magdalena, a department in Colombia, located in the north of the country near the Caribbean Ocean.
Cooking Notes
For additional variations, you can as well make this recipe with other grains, including brown rice, quinoa and barley.
Add fresh cilantro or parsley for extra freshness before serving.
Ingredients You'll Need
The printable method card with exact amounts and cookery directions is below.
Plantains: You'll need ripe or yellow plantains to make arroz de pajarito. Rice: I prefer using long grain rice for this recipe. Oil: I recommend using vegetable, canola or corn oil for this dish.
Butter: It gives the rice a rich savor. Salt: It gives taste to the dish.
How to Make Arroz de Pajarito
- Cook the ripe plantain cubes in a pan with the oil until they are golden. - Place the rice in a medium saucepan.
Then add the butter, water, and salt. - Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Stir once, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes. - Add the ripe plantains and stir well.
Cover again and keep preparation for about 10 minutes more. Remove the pan from the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice using a fork and serve immediately.