Jamaican Stew Peas and Rice

Experience the rich, robust flavors of Jamaican cuisine with this traditional Stew Peas and Rice recipe. Featuring tender salted pig tails, hearty stewing beef, red kidney beans, and aromatic vegetables, this dish is beautifully spiced with Scotch bonnet pepper and fresh thyme. It's served with hand-rolled dumplings known as "spinners," creating a satisfying and comforting meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

🐷 Salted Pig Tails: Quantity to preference, desalted by overnight soaking
🍖 Stewing Beef: Quantity to preference
🌿 Red Kidney Beans (dried): Quantity to preference, pre-soaked
🧅 Small Onion: 1, chopped
🧄 Scallion or Green Onion: White ends chopped; 2-3 green sprigs reserved
🌶️ Red Bell Pepper: Quantity to preference, chopped
🫑 Green Bell Pepper: Quantity to preference, chopped
🌶️ Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Small amount, thinly sliced for taste
🧈 Butter: About 1-2 tablespoons, for sautéing
🌿 Fresh Thyme: 2-3 sprigs
⚫ Ground Black Pepper: About 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon
🍞 Dumpling Dough: Enough for several small "spinners"
💧 Water: As needed for cooking
🍚 White Rice: For serving
🍌 Ripe Plantain: For frying and serving

Instructions

1- Prepare Ingredients:

• Soak salted pig tails in cold water overnight. Discard the soaking water.
• Soak red kidney beans overnight in water. Retain this soaking water for cooking.
• Chop onion, red and green bell peppers, and the white ends of the scallions.
• Slice Scotch bonnet pepper into thin strips.
• Prepare dumpling dough and shape into small, elongated "spinners."

2- Cook Meats and Beans:

• In a large cooking pot, place the desalted pig tails and stewing beef. Cover with water and cook for 30 minutes.
• Add the soaked red kidney beans with their soaking water. Cook for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes until the meat and beans are tender.

3- Sauté Seasoning:

• In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Sauté chopped onions, bell peppers, and Scotch bonnet pepper until softened and aromatic.

4- Combine and Simmer Stew:

• Add the sautéed mixture to the pot with meats and beans.
• Add thyme sprigs, ground black pepper, and "spinners."
• Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the stew thickens to a gravy-like consistency.

5- Final Adjustments:

• Check the seasoning and adjust salt if necessary.
• Remove thyme sprigs, scallion stalks, and Scotch bonnet pepper if a milder spice is preferred.
• Thin stew with additional water if it's too thick before serving.

Prep Time: Overnight soaking
Cook Time: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours
Total Time: ~2.5 hours (excluding prep)
Servings: Varies
Equipment:

• Cooking Pot
• Frying Pan
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Wooden Spoon
• Serving Spoon
• Rice Pot

Cooking Tips

• Flavor Retention: Soak pig tails and beans overnight. Retain bean water for richer flavors.
• Sauté for Depth: Sauté aromatics in butter for enhanced flavor.
• Dumplings as Thickener: Spinners help thicken the stew.

#jamaicanfood #stewpeas #traditionalcooking #comfortfood #homecookedmeal

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Jamaican Stew Peas and Rice