Arroz con gandules is a traditional one pot, Puerto Rican dish. Rice is simmered with pigeon peas and gently cooked until cooked and combined.

"This dish puts me in touch with my roots," Rios said. "The aromas fill my apartment with all of the fragrance of family. I love that.”

 

Evette Rios is a field correspondent for The Chew, which makes her the only Latina on a daytime network talk show. She is also food editor for Mamiverse.com and a regular contributor to Al Despertar on Univision.