Heat the oil in a small soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. There’s something so comforting about that rice and beans combination, and the flavour is so simple but rich. In Jamaica, all kinds of beans are referred to as ‘peas’, with the most popular beans used to make rice and peas being red kidney beans or gungo peas/pigeon peas. Leave the rice draining in the sieve, along with the beans, while you start the recipe. This month we travel to sunny Jamaica. (Skip to recipe.). You can also serve with Banana Fritters, another adaptation of a traditional Jamaican recipe. We had a fantastic family trip there to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday three years ago. I, Ragout of Broccoli Rabe with White Beans and Porcini Mushrooms, Beer-Stewed Pinto Beans (Frijoles Borrachos), Black Bean and Zucchini Tortilla Casserole. I just love the combo of rice and beans, esp when it it’s elevated with coconut and spices and is something delicious and new. Combining beans and rice provides a complete protein to the diet, so this simple dish has had significant dietary merit for Jamaicans (and many other Caribbean, Latin, Asian, and African cultures where versions of it are popular) for centuries. If you like my recipes, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. You can throw in a whole scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero) to add its fruity flavour – but be careful about actually eating it. There’s a reason why variations of this rice and beans combination is a staple in so many different countries – so simple and delicious (and nutritious, to boot). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There’s something so tasty and ‘moreish’ about this dish, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Nutrition information Per serving: Calories: 212; Total fat: 6g; Protein: 6 g; Fiber: 5.3 g; Carbs: 34g; Sodium: 22 mg, Copyright 2020 - VegKitchen.com - All Rights Reserved. Add the onion and sauté over medium-low heat until translucent. Stir in rice to the pan, followed by beans for about 2 minutes, then add coconut milk, bay leaf, bouillon powder, creole spice, with 3 cups of water, bring to a boil reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer until rice is cooked, about 20 minutes or more. Bring the rice and beans to a boil, stir to remove any rice stuck to the bottom of the pot, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and leave it to simmer for 30 minutes without lifting the lid. The mixture should be moist but not liquidy. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the onion is golden. If you cut the chicken into very small pieces, you'll need to reduce the cooking times. Add the rice, coconut milk, and 1½ cups water. Or serve rice and peas as the main attraction, with a fried egg on top or a fresh salad on the side – a light and filling meal. —Margaret Bose-Johnson. Pierce the scotch bonnet (or habanero) pepper once with the tip of a sharp knife, and add the pepper (whole) to the pot. Cook the onions, garlic, and ginger, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft. I could happily make a meal of Jamaican Rice and Peas all by itself. Stir in the beans, scallions, thyme, curry, and optional nutmeg. One of my favorite sides. It’s HOT! | Privacy Policy. Highly spiced, decadently tender, Bad to the bone and Finger lickin’ good! Enjoy! Drain and set aside. . Curry goat, saltfish and ackee, festival and other types of fritters, callaloo, oxtail, seafood dishes, curries, soups . CulturEatz: Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe Sign up here and you’ll get a handy and useful kitchen tip along with each recipe, too.