Arroz Con Gandules (Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas)

Ingredients

• •
  1 tbsp olive oil
• •
  1/3 cup country ham or bacon

  diced, optional

• •
  1/3 cup sofrito
• •
  3 cup water or low sodium chicken broth
• •
  1 1/2 tsp sazón con achiote y culantro
• •
  1 ea chicken bouillon

  cube; or more if needed

• •
  2 tbsp tomato paste

  or 1/3 cup tomato sauce

• •
  1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or oregano

  either one works

• •
  1/4 cup fresh cilantro

  chopped, optional

• •
  2-3 ea bay leaves
• •
  2 tbsp pimento stuffed olives

  optional

• •
  15 oz Pigeon Peas (Gandules)

  canned, drained and rinsed; or 2 cups fresh or frozen

• •
  2 cup parboiled rice