Puerto Rican morcilla : a savory blood sausage with rice and spices . Our recipe brings the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine to your table , easy and flavorful .

Here's a recipe for Morcilla, a traditional Puerto Rican blood sausage flavored with rice and spices:

Ingredients:

  - 1 lb pork blood

  - 1/2 lb pork fat, finely chopped

  - 1 cup cooked rice

  - 1 onion, finely chopped

  - 2 garlic cloves, minced

  - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  - 1 teaspoon paprika

  - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

  - Salt and pepper to taste

  - Hog casings

Instructions:

1- Rinse the hog casings under cold water and soak them in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes to soften them.

2- In a large bowl, combine the pork blood, pork fat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, cloves, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.

3- Carefully stuff the mixture into the hog casings, tying them off into sausage links.

4- Place the sausages in a large pot of boiling water and simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until cooked through.

5- Remove the sausages from the water and let them cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Puerto Rican Morcilla!

Nutritional Values:

Here are the approximate nutritional values for the ingredients in the previous Morcilla recipe, per serving:

Pork blood (1 lb):

  - Calories: 545

  - Protein: 18g

  - Fat: 34g

  - Carbohydrates: 37g

  - Fiber: 0g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits:

  - Protein: Essential for muscle repair and growth, helps in the production of enzymes and hormones.

  - Iron: High in heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body compared to plant-based iron, aiding in the prevention of anemia.

  - Vitamin B12: Important for nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells.

Pork fat (1/2 lb):

  - Calories: 1780

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 198g

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Fiber: 0g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits:

  - Energy: High in calories, providing a significant source of energy.

  - Fat: Contains saturated fats which are necessary in small amounts for hormone production and the absorption of certain vitamins.

Cooked rice (1 cup):

  - Calories: 206

  - Protein: 4g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Carbohydrates: 45g

  - Fiber: 1g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits:

  - Carbohydrates: Provides a quick source of energy.

  - Fiber: Helps in digestion and maintaining a healthy gut.

  - B Vitamins: Important for energy production and the formation of red blood cells.

Onion (1 medium):

  - Calories: 44

  - Protein: 1g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Carbohydrates: 10g

  - Fiber: 2g

  - Sugars: 5g

benefits:

  - Antioxidants: Contains quercetin and sulfur compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties.

  - Vitamin C: Important for immune function, skin health, and the absorption of iron.

  - Fiber: Supports healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.

Garlic (2 cloves):

  - Calories: 9

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Carbohydrates: 2g

  - Fiber: 0g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits:

  - Allicin: Has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

  - Vitamin C and B6: Important for immune function and metabolism.

  - Manganese: Essential for bone health and metabolism.

Oregano, paprika, cumin, cloves (1 tsp each):

  - Calories: negligible (less than 5 calories each)

benefits:

  - Antioxidants: Help protect cells from damage by free radicals.

  - Anti-inflammatory properties: Can help reduce inflammation in the body.

  - Digestive Health: Many spices can aid in digestion and improve gut health.

These values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.