Carreteiro Rice

Directions

• If you are using dried meat (jerky) or sun-dried meat, start by desalting it. To desalt, place the meat in a large bowl with enough water to cover it and leave to soak for a few hours, changing the water a few times to remove excess salt.
• Once desalted, cook the meat in boiling water until it is tender. Then drain, wait for it to cool a little and shred the meat.
• In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they are golden.
• Add the chopped tomato and green pepper to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables are soft.
• Add the shredded meat to the pan and mix well with the vegetables.
• Add the rice to the pan and sauté for a few more minutes, stirring constantly so that the rice is well mixed with the other ingredients.
• Add enough water to cook the rice, usually about 4 cups of water for every 2 cups of rice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
• When the rice is ready, turn off the heat and mix in chopped green chillies to taste. Serve hot accompanied by a green salad or other side dish of your choice.