Mexican Appetizers and More! logo

Side Dishes

Easy Empanadilla Dough (Masa Para Empanadillas)

By 10 Comments

This 3 ingredient Empanadilla Dough (Masa Para Empanadillas) recipe is perfect for any kind of empanadillas you’re looking to make!  Stuff with any sweet or savory filling such as carne molida (Puerto Rican Seasoned Ground Beef), chicken, shrimps, pork, cheese or pizza filling.  Or make dessert empanadillas with fruit jams and jellies such as, guava, pineapple, strawberry, blueberry or peach.

Raw empanadillas discs in between parchment squares for storage.-Masa Para Empanadillas (Dough for Empanadillas)

♦

It’s remarkable to think that dough dates back to the beginning of our time!

In fact evidence suggests that 30,000 years ago,  pre-historic man was already making some sort of dough!

Incredible!…

Read More

Easy Delicious Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo)

By 10 Comments

This Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo) recipe is a hyper-tasty seasoned ground beef used as a filling to several Puerto Rican appetizers and dishes or simply eaten with rice.

Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo) cooked in a skillet.

♦

Carne Molida in English translates simply to ground meat.  This Puerto Rican Picadillo is a delicious blend of ground meat, peppers, onions, potatoes, olives, cilantro and spices in a savory tomato based sauce.

It is very similar to a Cuban, Dominican and Mexican Picadillo recipe with slightly different spices and ingredients and is used in a variety of Puerto Rican dishes….

Read More

Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Beans)

By 8 Comments

These Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Beans) are just delicious!  Made with ham or smoked ham hocks, red or pink beans, sofrito and delicious spices in a savory tomato sauce with olives and potatoes.  Serve alongside white or yellow rice.  A true Puerto Rican staple to most rice dishes!  Excellent!

Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Beans) on a white plate served with avocado slices and lime wedges.

♦

Beans in Spanish is habichuelas while the word guisadas means stewed.  Hence Habichuelas Guisadas!

Puerto Rican Stewed Beans first and foremost are just delicious!

These Puerto Rican beans were a staple in my home growing up.  It was a dish that my mom prepared to be served alongside many of our rice dishes.   I just love them and truthfully hers are the best in my eyes!

In my own home today, you will find habichuelas guisadas made every single week served with either yellow or white rice….

Read More

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

By 14 Comments

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans or “Arroz y Habichuelas” is a traditional rice dish made with medium or long grain rice, red beans and seasoned with Puerto Rican seasonings.  Excellent side dish to practically any meal!

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans (Arroz y Habichuelas) served in a large white platter and topped with freshed copped cilantro.

 

♦

If you have never had a plate of Puerto Rican Rice and Beans you may quite certainly be missing out on another delicious rice dish in your life.

In spanish this delicious rice dish is known as “Arroz y Habichuelas” or “Arroz con Habichuelas” and is a dish made several times a week in many Puerto Rican homes, including my own.

We have almost an obsession with rice because it is served with practically every meal we have.  It really doesn’t matter whether you’re serving chicken, pork, steak or seafood, rice finds it’s place on the table.  We just love our rice! 😋…

Read More

Sorullitos

By 12 Comments

Sorullitos or Sorullitos de Maiz are Puerto Rican cornmeal fritters or corn sticks.  With a crispy outside and a soft and buttery inside, they make for a delicious snack, appetizer or side dish.  (Gluten free)

Sorullitos served on a white platter with mayoketchup sauce.

 

♦

Sorullitos, also known as “sorullitos de maiz” or “sorullos de maiz” are a delicious cornmeal based fritter and are originally from Puerto Rico.  They are sorta like a hush puppy but made with even simpler ingredients that result in a delicious yummy treat….

Read More