April 21, 2025

Arroz Navideño

Christmas Rice, or Arroz Navideño (ah-RROHS nah-bee-DEH-nyoh) is popular throughout Latin America. Each country has its own style, and each family has its own variation. This recipe from Ecuador has an unexpected ingredient: cola!

Yield: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter

  • 4 tbsp. canola oil

  • 1 white onion, chopped

  • 1 each of red, yellow and green bell pepper, chopped

  • 3 cups extra-long-grain rice

  • 1½ cups cola

  • 2½ cups water

  • salt to taste

  • ½ cup raisins

  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped

  • ½ cup ham, diced

Directions

  1. On medium heat, melt butter in large pot. Add canola oil. Sauté onion and half of the chopped peppers for 2-3 minutes.

  2. Add rice, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.

  3. Add cola and water. Add salt to taste. Raise heat to high and bring to boil.

  4. Cover pot and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes. When rice is cooked, remove from heat.

  5. Mix in walnuts, raisins and ham. Garnish with remaining chopped peppers.