Need the kick? This is another spicy Dominican dish. Humble and oftentimes despised, it was considered a poor man's meal many years ago, now it is the favourite of informal Dominican get- togethers... when in a tight budget. If you can't find sardines in hot tomato sauce simply buy them in plain tomato sauce and add hot sauce to the preparation.


Time: 35 Mins
Difficulty: Medium
Serve: 4 people

Before starting to cook: No prior preparation is necessary.

Ingredients:

• 5 cans of sardines in hot tomato sauce
• 3 cups of rice
• 5 cups water
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup red peppers, cut into small cubes
• 1 teaspoon mashed garlic
• 1/4 cup celery stalks, cut into slices
• 1 teaspoon of coriander, chopped finely (optional)
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Take the sardines out of the sauce and reserve the sauce. In an iron pot heat the oil (reserve 2 tablespoons of oil), add the herbs, spices, peppers, garlic and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about two minutes. Add half the sardines, mix well. Add the sauce that the sardines came in.
   
2. Add the water and bring to a boil. When it breaks a boil add the rice. Stir regularly to avoid excessive sticking. When all the liquid has evaporated add the remaining sardines, cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer at very low heat. Wait 15 minutes and uncover, stir, add the remaining oil and cover again. Wait another 5 minutes. Try the rice, it should be firm but tender inside. If necessary, cover and leave another 5 minutes on very low heat.

in step 1 it says to add the tomato paste, but it's not listed in the ingredients...

You are right. I will fix it. Thanks.

wow! I remember abuela making this for me when i was little!

the market near me has the Sardinas Pica Pica and now i can make this!