Are you ready for the second installation of a Puerto Rican Christmas? I hope so!
But first, I have to share a testimony with you! Last week I posted two videos from a cooking channel called Elbacooks4u. I sent Elba, the host of the channel, an email to tell her how much I loved her pernil, and that I shared her recipe on my blog. Well, to make a long story short — Elba and I are still reeling over this unexpected providence; it turns out that Elba is not just an amazing cook, but also a precious sister in the Lord! Is God sovereign, or what? Elba loves the Word of God, loves to read John MacArthur, likes the Puritans and the Valley of Vision, and even cooks deviled eggs for her church fellowships! Now that’s a blessed congregation, wouldn’t you say?
More and more I see that our lives simply are not ours to direct. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” The knowledge that God is at work in this broken world, working all things out according to His divine will, is for me, a most comforting and blessed assurance. There is no such thing as chance or happenstance in the big things, or the seemingly inconsequential things in our lives. God, He reigns!
Now, back to the arroz con gandules. Arroz con gandules, or rice and green pigeon peas, is the signature dish of the Puerto Rican culture. Growing up in grandma’s house in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, this dish was a staple in our household. While there are many different variations of arroz con gandules, it is essentially a combination of rice, pigeon peas, pork, and sofrito all cooked together in the same pot. The caldero is the pot of choice for most Puerto Rican cooking. As Elba explains in her video, “All pots are not created equal.” I love that!
In the video below Elba will teach you how to make arroz con gandules. Each time I watch her prepare this dish, I can practically smell the aroma from here!
As I mentioned earlier, there are many different variations. Elba likes long grain rice and my preference is medium grain. Also, my grandmother used to put aluminum foil over the pot and then covered it with the lid. I think she did this to not only the keep the flavor, but also to make sure the rice was not hard. When she moved back to Puerto Rico she used banana leaves!
So, are you ready for Elba’s teach-in on how to make arroz con gandules? You won’t be disappointed!
And before I forget, would you please take a moment to support Elba? You can subscribe to her You Tube Channel, and also her blog. I am here to tell you that her cooking is as authentic and creative as it gets!
Later this week I will post on how to make flan, a Spanish egg custard. Then, your Christmas meal will be complete!
Buen provecho!
What a great testimony!!! Blessings to you and glory to our God, ever good, ever faithful…
Amen, Petra!
I love this, how amazing that Elba is a Sister in the Lord…that is such a wonderful story Christina. I have to admit I love to watch Daisy (forgot her last name) who makes many of these dishes on PBS….I am going to have to try a few, thanks for such a wonderful post! This could be interesting though….I am about as Scots Irish/Pennsylvania Dutch/English etc. as they come, in other words me and Conan O’Brien have a lot in common, this Puerto Rican cooking and me could be very interesting indeed.
Hello Teresa, So many amazing things on this blog. You have a little Pennsylvania Dutch and I lived in Philadelphia for 46 years and loved the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Tell me that you are a Philadelphia Eagles Fan..Go Eagles.They are beating the Cowboys 30-27 with 2 minuets to go.
God Bless,
Elba
Teresa, I know that with just a few runs you are going to be a pro! I have seen some of your dishes and you are no amateur, lady! Much love to you!
God’s providence is so amazing. That is so neat about our sister Elba.
Thanks for sharing these recipes, too!
His providence is pretty amazing, isn’t it? I’ve stopped trying to figure it out! : )
Lord bless you today my friend!
You really have a way with words, I love the part were you mentioned the devil eggs for the church fellowship. We just came back tonight form our church Christmas play and fellowship I made my Ultimate Party Meatballs which I just uploaded today on my You Tube channel. Thank you for featuring my Arroz Con Gandules recipe on your blog, you did a great job.
It has been a great day in the Lord,
Elba
Elba, I saw the video upload on the meatballs! So clever! How amazing you are with just a few quick ingredients! And, I LOVE your presentation. I never saw meatballs look so elegant! Pray you have a beautiful day in the Lord!
My wife showed me this article. We also go to church with Elba and you are 100% correct, we are blessed to have her!! The meatballs she made for last night’s party were delicious. Actually, seriously, they were the only dish that was completely gone by the end of the night. I can tell you that she and her husband are very fun, down to earth people.
This is a neat blog! We look forward to reading more. Great links and sound theology. God bless you and your writing!
-Anthony
What a pleasure to meet you, Anthony! And, what an encouragement to my soul to meet new brothers and sisters in the Lord! While I am learning not to question His providence, I must say, it always amazes me! And, bless God for the meatballs that your congregation ate yesterday! LOL! If they looked half as good as they did in her video then it comes as no surprise that everyone scarfed them up! And thank you so much for the encouragement on my blog! May God richly bless you and your wife and, Lord willing, one day we will meet on this side of eternity!! Blessings galore!
Oh Deviled eggs, I make those for everything, Love em! It has been a wonderful day in the Lord indeed, even with all the snow. Well Elba I have to admit I am a Chicago Bears fan from way back…but I am not much into football but back in the day they were great. I loved Walter Peyton. I am so looking forward to having some time off from work during Christmas and I am going to make a few of these recipes….I hope I do not make a huge mess of things! I love your videos too, I am going to subscribe!
Ok I can forgive you for being a Bears Fan, and yes Walter Peyton was a great player. If you subscribe to my channel leave me a comment so that I know it was you from here.
God Bless,
Elba
What a joy!
Thank you for sharing the goodness of the Lord with us, as well as good recipes 🙂
Much love,
Now we need to get Becky to share some Mexican dishes with us. you are in Mexico right Becky? LOVE Mexican food! God bless girls, The Lord is GOOD!
Would just like to share a praise report with you all. A few hours ago I received a email from You Tube, telling me that they have approved my cooking channel for a full sponsored partnership. Needless to say my husband and I were happy to hear this news. To God be the Glory.
God Bless,
Elba
Bless God, Elba! That is truly wonderful news and I rejoice with you and hubby! Will this mean that your viewership will have the potential to expand? What exactly will it mean for you? What a blessing, Elba! And yes, to God be the glory!
Praise God !!! That is fantastic news, now everyone will be cooking Elba Style.
That is so amazing Christina that Elba is one of God’s precious Remnant! God is just full of surprises isn’t He?
Happy cooking sweet sisters!