How Jamaicans Make Barefoot Rice and Peas (One-Pot Comfort Food)

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: low-fat coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk + coconut extract

Low-fat coconut milk reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

long-grain rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: white rice

Quinoa offers more protein, while white rice is often less expensive.

Wash the red peas and add them to the pot.

Add 3 1/2 cups of water to the pot.

Season the cooking water with 2 tablespoons of green seasoning.

Place the peas on medium heat to cook for about 45 minutes or until soft.

Rinse the salted beef and salted pigtail until the water runs clear.

Place the rinsed meat in a pot, cover with water, and add 2 scotch bonnets, a few cloves of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of dried pimento.

Cover and boil the meat until tender.

Change the water for the meat to retain flavor, adding less water this time.

Sauté the meat with a splash of oil and a big tablespoon of green seasoning for a few minutes before adding it back to the pot.

Add 1 cup of fresh coconut milk to the pot with the peas and boil for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Add 1 tablespoon of optional homemade browning to the pot.

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a pinch of salt if needed.

Add the smashed scallion, 2 whole scotch bonnet peppers, a couple of bay leaves, and fresh thyme to the pot.

Wash 1 1/2 cups of basmati rice and add it to the pot with roughly 2 1/2 cups of water.

Add the sautéed meat to the pot and cover it up.

Steam on very low for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Remove the whole aromatics before fluffing the rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: