The most Jamaican of Jamaican food recipes has to be Rice and Peas. The world may know us for jerk chicken, but Rice and Peas is our comfortable old friend that we just cannot do without.
We eat it so often that it has become known as our "Coat of Arms". Ask a Jamaican about Sunday dinner, and the words "Rice and Peas" will almost definitely be in the answer. Some of us will eat it every day, and with every type of meat. Or with just gravy. Or all by itself.
Other countries in the world have variations, but none is exactly like ours, made delicious with coconut milk and the perfect blend of seasonings.
Before powdered and canned coconut milk and canned peas came on the market, the preparation of rice and peas was a lengthy process. A dry coconut would have to be split, the coconut meat taken out and grated, then put through a sieve and the milk squeezed out. Some people still prefer to do it this way, but in addition to being time consuming, grating coconut is not easy on the fingers. So those of us who treasure our hands are grateful that we have easier alternatives to grating!
Ready to cook?
Jamaican Rice and Peas
2 cups parboiled rice1/2 cup red peas, dried or canned4 cups water1 50g sachet of coconut milk powder, or 1/2 of a 400ml can of coconut milk1 tsp salt1 small onion, chopped1 stalk escallion (crushed)1 sprig thyme1/4 tsp pimento (all spice)pinch of black pepper1 whole green scotch bonnet pepper (or other hot pepper)
If using dried peas, soak them for a few hours (or overnight) in water to soften. Boil peas in cold water until tender. Pour off stock from peas and measure. Add enough water and coconut milk/coconut milk powder to make 4 cups of liquid, and add to peas.
If using canned peas, there is no need to cook them beforehand. Just add the four cups of liquid as described above.
To the mixture of peas, water and coconut milk, add all the seasonings and spices. Allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the rice to this mixture, and stir well. Increase flame until liquid boils. Then reduce heat and cover. Simmer until rice grains are tender. Apart from the first stir, try not to stir the mixture again while cooking, as this might make it sticky.
A delicious alternative to red peas is gungo (pigeon) peas. This version is especially popular at Christmas time when gungo is in season. Use canned or green gungo peas. There is no need to soak green gungo. Merely boil until tender, then continue the recipe as described.
Rice and Peas makes a nutritious, filling and tasty accompaniment to a wide array of meat dishes.
It also makes a good meal for vegetarians, as the peas provide a lot of protein.
