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A classic Jamaican side dish where creamy coconut milk, kidney beans, and fragrant thyme create a flavorful, fluffy rice. The perfect partner for jerk chicken or curried goat.
Rinse the long-grain rice in a fine-mesh sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and ensures fluffy rice. Set aside to drain completely.
In a medium pot or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped scallions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Pour in the entire can of kidney beans (with their liquid), the coconut milk, and the water. Add the fresh thyme sprigs, allspice berries, salt, black pepper, and the whole scotch bonnet pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
Add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot and stir it in. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture back to a boil.
Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pot with the tight-fitting lid and let it cook, undisturbed, for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes. This step is crucial for allowing the rice to steam perfectly and become fluffy.
Open the lid and carefully remove and discard the thyme sprigs, allspice berries, and the whole scotch bonnet pepper. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice. Serve hot as a side to your favorite Caribbean dishes.
A classic Jamaican side dish where creamy coconut milk, kidney beans, and fragrant thyme create a flavorful, fluffy rice. The perfect partner for jerk chicken or curried goat.
This jamaican recipe takes 50 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 807.44 calories per serving with 17.45g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for side or lunch or dinner.
For a different but equally authentic version, substitute the red kidney beans with canned gungo peas (pigeon peas).
You can use brown rice for a healthier, nuttier version. You will need to increase the liquid by about 1/2 cup and extend the cooking time to 40-45 minutes.
Add a small piece of dried coconut (copra) to the pot while simmering for a more intense, traditional coconut flavor.
Kidney beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall body maintenance.
The combination of beans and rice provides a significant amount of dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and contributes to a feeling of fullness.
The complex carbohydrates from the rice are broken down slowly, providing a steady release of energy to fuel your body and brain throughout the day.
In Jamaica and across the Caribbean, beans are commonly referred to as 'peas'. This naming convention dates back to the use of gungo peas (pigeon peas) in the original dish. Red kidney beans became a popular and readily available substitute, but the traditional name 'Rice and Peas' stuck.
It can be part of a balanced diet. The dish is a good source of plant-based protein and fiber from the kidney beans, which aids digestion. However, it is calorie-dense due to the full-fat coconut milk. For a lighter version, you can use light coconut milk, but this will alter the traditional creamy texture.
A typical serving of this recipe contains approximately 590 calories, primarily from the rice and full-fat coconut milk. This makes it a satisfying and energy-rich side dish.
Yes. To add significant heat, you can carefully make a small slit in the side of the scotch bonnet pepper before adding it to the pot. For extreme heat, you can finely mince a portion of the pepper and sauté it with the onions and garlic. Be very careful, as scotch bonnets are extremely hot.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a rice cooker. Sauté the aromatics on the stove first, then transfer them to the rice cooker bowl. Add all remaining ingredients, stir well, and set it to the standard white rice setting. It will cook and switch to 'keep warm' automatically.
