A quintessential rice and beans dish that evokes Jamaican flavors of a grandmother’s cooking.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
My maternal grandmother is the matriarch of the family in every sense of the word.
And after immigrating to America in 1969 she paved the way for the others to come, too.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Holidays for us meant that the house was full of people.
Once for Christmas, just for fun, I counted and got to 70 people (!)
before I gave up the tally.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
My grandmother was, of course, the original host for these gatherings.
Her love of foodand more accurately, feeding peopleis unmatched.
Fortunately for everyone, you always did!
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
This passion for food skipped over my mom, bypassed my older sister, and landed squarely on me.
Its because of my grandmother that I derive pure joy (and anxiety) from cooking for others.
She is also the reason I cannot cook small.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
About 8 years ago, my grandmother developed dementia and began cooking less and less.
The rice and peas was irreparably scorched.
(It ended up being my grandmother who asked, Wheres the rice and peas??)
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
I used to be excited to mix it up during the holidays and experiment with new recipes.
Now though, I am incentivized to cook the classic Jamaican dishes I grew up eating.
But as my mother said, in Jamaica you learned a lot by osmosis.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
You just saw it being made every Sunday and absorbed the smells, the sounds, and the tastes.
So, is my recipe for rice and peas my grandmothers recipe?
Ill verify of it.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
What Is Jamaican Rice and Peas?
Do You Mean Beans?
My family prefers the more popular red kidney beans and thats what this recipe calls for.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Soaking your beans overnight helps them cook faster, but it is not absolutely necessary.
If you skip this step, expect to cook your beans longer.
While skipping the soak is an acceptable shortcut, canned beans are not!
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Like most rice dishes, its a great base to soak up a sauce or gravy.
Jamaican Rice and Peas
This recipe makes a big batch.
Dont think youll finish it within 5 days?
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Freeze leftovers for your next craving of rice and peas!
In a large Dutch oven or lidded saucepan, add the soaked beans, including the water and garlic.
Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Check for doneness after about 40 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium-high heat.
After 20 minutes, the liquid should be absorbed and the rice tender.
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Remove the pot from the heat and let the rice steam, covered, for 10 minutes.
Use a fork to fluff the rice, and serve warm.
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Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
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Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
Kalisa Martin /Simply Recipes
