Rice and peas

traditional food within the West Indian Caribbean islands

Rice and peas or peas and rice are traditional rice dishes in some Caribbean countries. The 'peas' used in this dish are traditionally pigeon peas. They are called 'Gungo peas' in the Caribbean.[1] Sometimes kidney beans are used. Rice and peas recipes throughout the Caribbean vary, with each country having their own way of making it and name of calling it. They are similar only by the two main ingredients which are the peas/beans used and rice to form a mixture. The name "rice and peas" originally is used by Jamaicans to identify the dish. Other countries have different names for it.

Rice and peas
CourseDinner
Region or stateCaribbean
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsRice, beans

In 1961, Frederic G. Cassidy made note that the dish had been referred to as Jamaica's coat of arms.[2]

Caribbean

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Rice and peas is the mainstay of Jamaica, Anguilla, Bahamas, Trinidad, Barbados, Haiti and many other Caribbean islands. In most of Caribbean, the dish is called Rice and peas. In the Bahamas, it is known as peas n' rice, from which the Bahamian folk song "Mamma don't want no Peas n' Rice and Coconut Oil" is named.

Preparation

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The traditional Jamaican method of cooking rice and peas is cooking long-grain rice in coconut milk and pigeon peas/kidney beans along with other ingredients like scallions, garlic, bell peppers and allspice.[3] It is often served with curries and jerk chicken.

References

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  1. [1]
  2. Higman, B. W. (2013). "4. Jamaica Coat of Arms". In Richard Wilk (ed.). Rice and Beans: A Unique Dish in a Hundred Places. Livia Barbosa. London, New York: Berg. ISBN 978-1-84788-905-8.
  3. "Jamaican Cuisine".