Puerto Rican Shrimp and Coconut Rice Achiote Casserole

Name: Puerto Rican Shrimp and Coconut Rice Achiote Casserole
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Puertorriqueña
Ingredients: 1.1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 1/4 cups medium-grain rice; 13.5 fl oz coconut milk; 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1/2 cup Puerto Rican sofrito; 1 cup yellow onion, chopped; 3/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 cup sweet mini peppers, chopped; 1 tbsp garlic, minced; 1/4 cup green olives stuffed with pimento, sliced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tsp ground annatto; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1 leaf bay leaf

An original recipe inspired by Puerto Rican flavors: shrimp seasoned with homemade adobo, sofrito, sweet peppers, olives, and rice cooked in coconut milk with annatto, then finished in the oven for a moist and aromatic casserole.

25 minPrep

35 minCook

60 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

500 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined (without cola if desired)
240 g medium-grain rice (enjuagado)
400 ml coconut milk (without endulzar)
360 ml chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium preferiblemente)
120 g Puerto Rican sofrito (casero or preparado)
150 g yellow onion, chopped
120 g red bell pepper, chopped
60 g sweet mini peppers, chopped
12 g garlic, minced
45 g green olives stuffed with pimento, sliced
15 g fresh cilantro, chopped (divided)
4 g ground annatto
2 g dried oregano
1 g ground cumin
2 g sweet paprika
6 g salt (or to taste, divided)
1 g black pepper (divided)
30 ml olive oil (divided)
14 g butter
30 ml lime juice
1 unit bay leaf

Nutrition facts

per serving

560 kcal

Calories

28 g

Protein

52 g

Carbs

26 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

48 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

DairyShellfish

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
2
In a bowl, season the shrimp with the lime juice, oregano, cumin, sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon ground annatto. Mix well and let rest for 10 minutes.
3
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter in a large skillet or oven-safe casserole over medium heat. Add the onion, red bell pepper, sweet peppers, and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
4
Add the sofrito and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring. Stir in the green olives, bay leaf, and cilantro, reserving a little cilantro for finishing.
5
Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to coat it with the sofrito and seasonings.
6
Pour in the coconut milk and broth. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon annatto, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and bring to a gentle boil.
7
Once it starts boiling, arrange the seasoned shrimp over the rice. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top.
8
Cover the casserole tightly with a lid or foil and bake at 375 °F (190 °C) for 22 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed almost all the liquid.
9
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes, still covered. Remove the bay leaf.
10
Fluff the rice with a fork, gently fold to distribute the shrimp, and finish with the reserved fresh cilantro before serving.

Chef tips

For the best texture, do not uncover the casserole while baking. If you want a lightly golden top, uncover it for the last 3 minutes and bake at 400 °F (205 °C).

Substitutions

You can substitute the shrimp with chunks of firm fish or artichoke hearts for a vegetarian version, adjusting the cooking time. The butter can be replaced with more olive oil to avoid dairy.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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