Nutrition Dork

  What is Sazón? Sazón is a seasoning used in Spanish and Latin cultures to add color and flavor to their foods. It is proven that foods with vibrant colors look more enticing and palatable. Which is why the Latin culture has adapted using sazón in almost all of their recipes.  What is Sazón made with?  Sazón is mainly made with Annatto which translates to Achiote in Spanish. Annatto is obtained from the pulp of a tropical fruit. Sometimes also called annatto seeds. The color is extracted by heating the seed in oil or water. In sazón, annatto is used in its powdered form, blended with other spices like cumin, coriander, oregano, and sometimes salt. What does the word sazón mean? The word Sazón is the Spanish word for flavor. Many times it also refers to seasoning, or to season (e.g. To season the meat). As you can see the sazón seasoning got its name while referring to the seasoning of the food in order to give it flavor.  How do you use a Sazón Seasoning?  Saz...

  Arroz con gandules (rice and peas) and bistec encebollado (beefsteak and onions) is a very typical dinner in Puerto Rico. Arroz con gandules is also a staple during the Holidays, or in any main event in Puerto Rico. Bistec encebollado is usually cooked and paired up with white rice, bean stew, and some maduros (ripe fried plantains) on the side. All of these can be paired with a slice of ripe avocado, which will have everyone mouth watering over these delicious dinner plates. Puerto Rican foods made with the right ingredients, can be both delicious and part of a well balanced healthy dinner. Healthy Puerto Rican Recipes  HOW TO CHOOSE HEALTHY INGREDIENTS FOR ARROZ CON GANDULES AND BISTEC ENCEBOLLADO - Meat :  Certified organic, or humanely raised from a local farm is best. Second best choice are meats that are labeled grass-fed, and free of antibiotics.  - Fats and oils :  Coconut oil is best for cooking as it is highly resistant to oxidation at high heat. Oli...

First let’s talk about “What is sofrito?” Sofrito is a blend of various vegetables and herbs used in Latin cuisine, especially in Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Recipes vary from place to place, but primarily consist of onions, garlic, peppers, cilantro, culantro, and tomatoes.  The word sofrito comes from another spanish word “sofrier” which means to stir-fry. Typically the sofrito is stir fried in a bit of oil, before using in a recipe. According to Google’s dictionary sofrito means; a Caribbean and Latin American sauce of tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and herbs. Depending on which part of Latin America, sofrito is made with different ingredients, and used in various ways. Sofrito is added to rice, beans, meats, soups and stews to enhance the flavor of the food.  As a Puerto Rican, I grew up enjoying the aroma and flavors of sofrito as it is a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine. We just can’t cook without it. It is used to marinate meats, used in...