Jamaican Rice and Peas

Rice and peas is a staple side dish in Jamaica. It’s easy to make, delicious, and can be served with any meat, fish or curry for an amazing meal. You don’t need to go all the way to the Caribbean to enjoy this rice dish though! We have the recipe right here so you can learn how to make rice and pea at home. We have included substitute ingredients available in the UK and US.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Coconut / Vegetable / Sunflower Oil
• 1 small Onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves Garlic (finely sliced)
• 2 tsp Jerk Seasoning or All purpose seasoning
• 225 ml Water
• 400 ml Coconut Milk
• 400 g Red Kidney Beans (Canned - 240 grams drained - see blog post about using dried beans)
• 2 Spring Onions (halved lengthways)
• 2 sprigs Thyme
• 1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Add more/less to taste - see blog post for substitutes)
• 400 grams White Rice (Long grain rice or basmati rice)
• 1 Spring Onion (finely sliced)
• 1 Lime (To serve)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Fry: Chop 1 small Onion and 2 cloves Garlic fry over medium heat in 1 tbsp Coconut / Vegetable / Sunflower Oil for 5 mins.
2. 2Wash: Meanwhile, wash 400 grams White Rice in cold running water until the water is clear.
3. 3Ingredients: Add 225 ml Water, 400 ml Coconut Milk, 400 g Red Kidney Beans, 2 Spring Onions, 2 sprigs Thyme and 1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper and washed rice all to the pan at the same time, turn to high heat.
4. 4Seasoning: Add2 tsp Jerk Seasoning or All purpose seasoning, stir and bring to a boil.
5. 5Stir together one last time, turn the heat down to low.
6. 6Lid: Place lid on, and simmer for 10 minutes.KEEP LID ON DO NOT STIR OR PEEK!
7. 7Absorb: Turn heat off but KEEP LID ON for 10 more minutes, whilst any remaining liquid is absorbed into the rice.
8. 8Remove: You can now take off the lid, remove the spring onions, thyme and scotch bonnet.
9. 9Fluff: Use a fork to fluff up the rice.
10. 10Serve with a chopped 1 Spring Onion and a small wedge from 1 Lime .