This incredibly flavored green rice is one of the most famous dishes in Chiclayo, north of Lima. Cooks in this region use the rice harvested in local farms, fragrant cilantro leaves -never the stems-, peas, and a well fed female duck, to make this legendary entree.
Ancient Peruvians were very fond of native ducks, and they loved to prepare several dishes with these tasty birds. With the arrival of rice, onions, and cilantro to our country, this recipe was created. Arroz con pato is the perfect fusion of foreign and native ingredients, and it has been raising many foodie’s hearts for quite a long time.
Of course, there are hundreds of variations. Some cooks, like myself, add beer to the stock because it gives the finished dish a unique depth of flavor. Others make it not so green, or cook it risotto-style. Believe me, every single version of it is to die for.
Rice with chicken is very similar, but perhaps easier to make at home. And the vegetarian variation that we always made at home for my daughter is so good, that if you have this instead you won´t miss the meat.
Whichever version you decide to make, don´t forget to always serve it with lots of salsa criolla on the side.
- 4 duck legs and thighs
- 2 cans beer
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup red onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- ½ cup ají mirasol paste
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 8 cups duck stock
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cups long grain white rice
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup green peas
- Salsa Criolla
- Combine duck legs with a can of beer in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Take the legs out of the marinade before cooking and dry the pieces with paper towels.
- In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat, add the duck, and sear until golden. Transfer to a plate, cover the pieces, and keep warm. In the same pan, add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add ají mirasol, turmeric, and cumin, stir and cook for 10 more minutes.
- In the meantime, process cilantro and spinach leaves in a blender, with ½ cup water until very smooth. Add to the saucepan, together with the duck stock, the other beer, and the reserved seared duck. Season with salt and pepper, cover tightly, turn the heat to low and cook for 1 ½ hours or until the duck is loosening from the bone. Taste for seasoning. Transfer to a bowl with some of the liquid.
- Measure the liquid in the pan. You will need 4 ½ cups of this green and flavorful stock to cook the rice. Add the rice to the saucepan, along with the cooking stock, bell pepper, and green peas. Put the lid on, lower the heat, and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, and after 5 minutes, stir the rice with a fork.
- Serve the rice with a piece of duck on top, and salsa criolla on the side.
Peru Delights
I’ve been looking for a recipe like this for months. It’s super easy to buy the coriander sauce in a Peruvian market but not in Europe. I will try it soon and I will write you guys the details.