Puerto Rican cuisine is a tapestry of flavors, thanks to influences from the Indigenous Taíno people, Spanish settlers, African slaves, and the Indian community, as well as the island's native Caribbean ingredients. Key elements like annatto and sofrito set the base for many dishes, while adobo seasoning is a kitchen mainstay. Then, there's pique, a condiment as integral to a meal as plantains and rice. Both grandmothers and celebrity chefs have enriched this cuisine. Let's embark on a journey through popular Puerto Rican food and drink recipes.

At the heart of North Carolina's Boricua Soul, co-owners Serena and Toriano Fredericks serve a twist on the classic Puerto Rican roast pork shoulder - pernil - atop a velvety mac and cheese. Their pernil is seasoned with garlic, oregano, and sazón, a spice blend boasting coriander and annatto.

Next up is Chef JJ Johnson's Puerto Rican stew - a robust dish filled with rice and an assortment of vegetables, crowned with spicy ground chicken. Another must-try is kingfish escabeche - a fish delicacy marinated in a pickling solution prevalent in Puerto Rico. Championing this dish, Jose Enrique grills his kingfish steaks over coals instead of traditional frying, serving them with a sauce that blends rice vinegar and honey.

When it comes to beverages, Piña Colada is the undisputed champion. This refreshing concoction of rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut originated in Puerto Rico and became the island's national drink in 1978. A decadent twist on the classic includes white and dark rum, coconut milk, lime juice, vanilla, and even light brown sugar.

But Puerto Rican food isn't just about main courses and drinks. Comforting soups like the one inspired by Chef Kwame Onwuachi's upbringing in the Bronx are part of the cuisine too. His chicken soup, which he describes as a celebration of comfort, boasts annatto, sofrito, a hint of cumin, and house spice, following a recipe much-loved by Puerto Rican abuelitas.

Indeed, every Puerto Rican delicacy tells a tale. Such as the popular casserole, featuring ripe plantains layered with spicy ground meat and gooey mozzarella cheese. Or the coquito, a holiday season rum punch with a unique recipe in each Puerto Rican family. Let’s not forget the quesitos, delicious puffed pastries filled with cream cheese and guava paste, or the quintessential Caribbean snack of fried green plantains.

Whether it's the fiery sauce from Boricua Soul, featuring jalapeño and habanero chiles, or comforting dishes like Benny's Seafood's mofongo with fried green plantains, Puerto Rican cuisine is an adventure. Each dish, from Emily Farris' rice recipe of spicy sausage, annatto oil, and adobo seasoning, to San Juan-based Jungle BaoBao’s beautiful arrangement of carrot puree, seared steaks, and braised cabbage, is a testament to the diversity and richness of Puerto Rican flavors.