Rice and peas facts for kids
Basmati rice and peas
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| Course | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Region or state | The Caribbean |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Rice, beans |
Rice and peas is a very popular and traditional dish from the Caribbean islands. Even though it's called "peas," it usually has pigeon peas or kidney beans. This tasty dish is often served with curry goat.
In 1961, a person named Frederic G. Cassidy said that rice and peas was like Jamaica's national symbol. This shows how important the dish is to the island.
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Rice and Peas in the Caribbean
Rice and peas is a main food in many English-speaking Caribbean islands. These include The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Barbados. In The Bahamas, people call it "peas n' rice." There's even a folk song named "Mamma don't want no Peas n' Rice and Coconut Oil" about it!
What's in Rice and Peas?
This dish is made with rice and any type of legume (which are like beans or peas). Common legumes used are kidney beans, pigeon peas (also called gungo peas), or cowpeas.
When you mix a grain like rice with a legume, it creates a complete protein. This means it has all the important building blocks your body needs. Gungo peas are especially popular around Christmas time.
How to Make Rice and Peas
To make rice and peas, the peas are first boiled until they are soft. People add pimenta seeds and garlic for flavor.
Then, ingredients like Scotch bonnet pepper (which can be spicy!), thyme, scallions (also known as spring onions), ginger, and coconut milk are added. Finally, the rice is put in, and everything simmers until it's cooked.
Different Ways to Make It
Sometimes, people add salt pork or beef to the dish. This gives it extra flavor. In Guyana, a similar dish is called "cookup rice." It often includes chicken, which makes the meal even more filling.
Serving Rice and Peas
Rice and peas is a classic dish for Sunday lunch in the Caribbean. It's usually served with a main meat dish. This could be stewed chicken, beef, lamb, or pork. Sometimes, it's served with fish or seafood like shrimp, crab, or king fish.
