The Perfect Recipe for Rice and Peas with Creamy Coconut Milk
Gathering around the dinner table with a plate of fragrant and delicious rice and peas with coconut milk is a true Caribbean delight. This classic dish combines the comforting flavors of tender rice, creamy coconut milk, and hearty kidney beans, cooked to perfection. In this blog post, we will share with you the secrets to preparing this mouthwatering dish that will surely impress your friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup of long-grain white rice
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 cup of cooked kidney beans
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional for heat)
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Rinse the rice: Place the rice in a sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and ensures fluffy rice.
2. Sauté the onions and garlic: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until golden and fragrant.
3. Add the rice: Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir it with the onions and garlic for a minute or two. This step allows the rice to absorb the flavors of the aromatic vegetables.
4. Pour in the coconut milk: Slowly pour in the coconut milk, making sure it covers the rice completely. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the coconut milk with chicken or vegetable broth.
5. Season the dish: Add the sprig of fresh thyme, scotch bonnet pepper (if desired), salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings evenly.
6. Simmer and cook: Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the rice cook for about 20 minutes or until tender. It’s important not to lift the lid during the cooking process to prevent steam from escaping and ensure perfectly cooked rice.
7. Add the kidney beans: After 20 minutes, gently stir in the cooked kidney beans. Make sure not to mash them; you want to preserve their texture and flavor.
8. Let it rest: Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb any excess moisture.
9. Fluff and serve: After resting, remove the thyme sprig and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the rice and peas hot as a delightful side dish or as a main course accompanied by your favorite protein.
Enjoy the tropical flavors of this mouthwatering rice and peas with coconut milk dish. It pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or fish, providing a burst of Caribbean goodness to your palate. Now, you can confidently add this recipe to your culinary repertoire and impress your loved ones with this delicious and comforting Caribbean staple!
– Rice
– Canned or fresh peas
– Coconut milk
– Water or vegetable broth
– Onion
– Garlic
– Thyme
– Salt
– Black pepper
– Scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
– Olive oil or coconut oil
1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent.
3. Add the thyme and scotch bonnet pepper (if desired) to the pot and stir for a minute.
4. Add the rice, peas, coconut milk, water or vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper to the pot, stirring well.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
6. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
7. Once done, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
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