World Recipes

Jamaican Rice and Peas

This is known in Jamaica as "Jamaican Coat of Arms." It is used as a side dish or as an entree.

1 cup dried small red beans
2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups long-grain rice
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
1 whole Scotch bonnet chile, or a 1-inch long whole
    habanero or any other very hot whole chile pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pour beans into a colander; pick over them and discard any pebbles, debris or malformed beans. Rinse beans thoroughly with cold running water. Place beans in a large pot and soak them overnight in enough water to cover.

Drain beans, return them to the pot, and add 4 cups of water. Bring the beans to a boil, covered, over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer the beans until they are not quite tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, rice, diced onions, garlic, chile pepper, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer the rice and beans, covered, until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the chile pepper and serve at once.

Baked Kidney Beans and Rice (Riz et Pois Rouges)

1 medium onion, chopped
2 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked regular rice
2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
4 ounces fully cooked smoked ham, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 1/2 cups boiling water

Cook and stir onion, garlic and green pepper in oil until tender. Mix onion mixture and remaining ingredients in ungreased 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 55 minutes. Stir before serving.

Yields 5 to 6 servings.