Pigeon Peas and Rice

• 1 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons annatto seeds (available in Latin American groceries)
• 1/3 cup achiote oil (see above)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 head garlic, cloves crushed and peeled
• 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 bay leaf, finely crumbled
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup ( 1/2 pound) dried pigeon peas, rinsed and picked over (see Notes)
• 8 cups water
• 3 tablespoons achiote oil (see above)
• 1/3 cup sofrito (see above)
• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1. Make the achiote oil: In a small saucepan, cook the oil and annatto seeds over low heat just until the mixture turns bright red, about 4 minutes.
2. Do not let the mixture get too hot and overcookit will go past the dark red stage and lighten in color and decrease in flavor.
3. Longer steeping does not mean better flavor in this case, so it is best to underestimate your cooking time.
4. Strain the achiote oil into a small jar, discarding the seeds.
5. Cool completely, cover, and store indefinitely in the refrigerator.
6. Make the sofrito: Heat the 1/3 cup achiote oil in a medium skillet.
7. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, oregano, cumin, salt, and bay leaf.
8. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until well softened, about 10 minutes.
9. Stir in the parsley.
10. Cool completely, transfer to a small jar or bowl, cover, and store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
11. In a large saucepan, combine the pigeon peas with enough water to cover by 1 inch; bring to a boil over high heat.
12. Boil for 1 minute.
13. Remove the pan from the heat, cover tightly, and let stand for 1 hour.
14. (Or soak the peas overnight in a large bowl with enough cold water to cover by 3 inches.)
15. Drain well.
16. In a large saucepan, bring the drained peas and 4 cups of the water to a boil over high heat.
17. Reduce the heat to low, and cook until the peas are almost tender, about 45 minutes.
18. Drain the peas and set them aside.
19. Heat the 3 tablespoons achiote oil in a large saucepan.
20. Add the 1/3 cup sofrito and cook over medium heat until very hot, about 2 minutes.
21. Add the rice and stir until well coated and yellow, about 1 minute.
22. Add the remaining 4 cups water, the drained peas, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
23. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the rice and peas are tender, about 20 minutes.
24. Stir in the parsley and serve immediately.

olive oil, annatto seeds, achiote oil, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, oregano, ground cumin, salt, bay leaf, parsley, peas, water, achiote oil, sofrito, longgrain rice, salt, freshly ground black pepper, parsley

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/pigeon-peas-and-rice (may not work)