PUERTO RICAN COOKBOOK RECIPES

Steps:

• In a mini food processor, chop onions, garlic, pepper and cilantro.
• Add oil to a medium saucepan and sauté the chopped ingredients, cook on medium heat until soft,  about 2 minutes.
• Add the beans (not drained) to the saucepan along with 3/4 cup of water.
• Add tomato sauce, potato, sazon, bay leaf, oregano, salt if needed and pinch of black pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.
• Discard bay leaf and serve over rice if you wish.

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree. Set aside. DO AHEAD: You can make the seasoning base (recado) the day before.
• Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and brown for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until it begins to release its fat, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in the recado, reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, for about 50 minutes, or until the pork is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Add some chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much during cooking. When the meat is done, transfer it to a plate with a slotted spoon. Set the sauce aside. DO AHEAD: You can make the sofrito the day before.
• Working in 2 or 3 batches, puree the milk, malanga, green bananas, green plantain, and calabaza in a blender or food processor and pour into a large bowl. Add the oil and salt and mix well to color the masa evenly. Stir in the reserved sauce. Taste for seasoning and set aside.
• Place one plantain leaf square on a work surface with the veins perpendicular to you. Brush generously with achiote oil. Place 3 heaping tablespoons of masa in the center of the leaf and spread into a 6-inch square, leaving a 3-inch margin on all sides. Place 3 tablespoons of the diced pork on top, forming a rectangle. Garnish with 4 raisins, 4 chickpeas, a strip of red pepper, and 4 olive halves. Tie the tamal following the instructions for the pastel wrap (see Cooks' notes). Repeat with the remaining wrappers and ingredients. DO AHEAD: You can prepare the plantain leaves the day before.
• Using two steamers (or working in batches), steam for about 1 hour (see Cooks' notes).