[Recipe]Locrio de Pica-Pica Recipe (Rice and Spicy Sardines)

Considered a poor man's meal, and a favorite of informal get-togethers, locrio de pica-pica (rice and spicy sardines) has a strong taste I love.

📝 Ingredients

• 5 cans sardines in spicy tomato sauce (4 ounces each, divided)
• 5 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 3 sprigs cilantro (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1/4 cup bell peppers (diced)
• 1 medium carrot (diced)
• 1/4 cup celery stalk (cut into slices)
• 1/3 cup peas
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt ((or more, to taste))
• 3 cups rice

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- 1. Sauteing ---
2. 2Sauteing: Take the sardines out of the sauce and reserve the sauce. In a deep bottom pot heat 3 tablespoons of oil over low heat.Add cilantro, garlic, peppers, carrot, celery and peas. Cook and stir for about two minutes. Add half the sardines (reserve the other half), mix well.Increase the heat to medium and add the sauce that the sardines came in.
3. 3--- 2. Cooking rice ---
4. 4Cooking rice: Add water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. When it breaks the boil add the rice. Stir regularly to avoid excessive sticking.When all the liquid has evaporated, add the remaining sardines and mix. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer over very low heat.After 15 minutes uncover, stir, and add the remaining oil. Cover again. After another 5 minutes try the rice. It should be firm but tender inside. If necessary, cover and simmer another 5 minutes.
5. 5--- 3. Serving ---
6. 6Serving: Remove from heat, remove the rice and place in a serving bowl. Scrape the crispy rice at the bottom and serve separately.Serve with avocado slices.