Bahamian Inspired Pigeon Peas & Rice Delight
This vibrant Bahamian-inspired dish of pigeon peas and rice is a delicious fusion of flavors that transports you straight to sandy beaches and blue skies. Despite initial hesitations about beans, this dish unexpectedly became a lunchtime favorite throughout my vacation in the Bahamas. Packed with fragrant herbs, savory bacon, and a colorful medley of vegetables, it offers a delightful twist that might just change your perception of legumes. Perfect for a quick lunch or satisfying snack, this recipe celebrates the heartiness of pigeon peas while offering a comforting, wholesome meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
pigeon peas
1 cup (rinsed and drained)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
fresh thyme
5 sprigs (leaves stripped from stems)
rice
2 cups (uncooked)
red pepper
1 (diced)
scallions
2 (chopped)
cut bacon
1/2 cup (diced)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, boil the pigeon peas in 5-6 cups of water over medium heat. Allow them to cook for about 45 minutes or until they become tender. Once cooked, drain and set aside the peas, reserving the cooking liquid.
2
In a separate medium pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Add the chopped scallions, minced garlic, and diced red pepper to the pot, sautéing for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are fragrant and softened.
3
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring that everything is well combined and continues cooking for another minute.
4
Carefully add the cooked pigeon peas and 4 cups of the reserved cooking liquid to the pot. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil.
5
Once boiling, add the rice, stirring to combine everything evenly. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and allow it to simmer without lifting the lid until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.
6
Fluff the rice with a fork, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bahamian Inspired Pigeon Peas & Rice Delight?
It is a vibrant dish featuring a fusion of flavors like fragrant herbs and savory bacon that transports you to the Bahamas.
What are the primary ingredients for this dish?
The main ingredients include pigeon peas, garlic, fresh thyme, rice, red pepper, scallions, bacon, and tomato paste.
How do you prepare the pigeon peas?
Rinse and drain 1 cup of pigeon peas, then boil them in 5-6 cups of water for about 45 minutes until tender.
Should I discard the water after boiling the pigeon peas?
No, you should drain the peas but reserve the cooking liquid as it is needed to cook the rice later.
How is the bacon prepared for this recipe?
Cook 1/2 cup of diced bacon in a pot over medium heat until it becomes crispy and golden brown.
What vegetables are sautéed with the bacon?
You sauté chopped scallions, minced garlic, and diced red pepper with the bacon.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
The scallions, garlic, and red pepper should be sautéed for 3 to 5 minutes until they are fragrant and softened.
What seasonings are added to the vegetable mixture?
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and the leaves stripped from 5 sprigs of fresh thyme.
When is the tomato paste added?
Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste after the vegetables have been sautéed and seasoned.
How much reserved cooking liquid is used for the rice?
The recipe requires 4 cups of the reserved pigeon pea cooking liquid.
At what point is the rice added to the pot?
Add the rice once the mixture of pigeon peas and reserved liquid has reached a rolling boil.
What is the correct way to simmer the rice?
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer without lifting the lid until the liquid is absorbed.
What should be done once the rice is cooked?
Fluff the rice with a fork, taste to adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve hot.
How much rice is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of uncooked rice.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
How many scallions are included?
The recipe uses 2 chopped scallions.
What kind of pepper is used in the sauté?
One whole red pepper, diced, is used in the sauté.
What type of thyme is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 5 sprigs of fresh thyme with the leaves stripped from the stems.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for a quick lunch or a satisfying snack.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a savory, fragrant, and hearty dish with a vibrant Bahamian-inspired twist.
Can this dish be considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and a wholesome, hearty meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients including seasonings.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home cooks.
What is the total boil time for the peas?
The pigeon peas should boil for approximately 45 minutes to achieve the desired tenderness.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
Can this serve as a bean alternative?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a bean alternative for those looking for a different legume experience.
What is the prep for the red pepper?
The red pepper should be diced before being added to the pot.
What is the prep for the garlic?
The garlic should be finely minced.
How is the pigeon pea liquid used?
The liquid is used as the cooking base for the rice to infuse it with the flavor of the peas.
What is the recommended serving temperature?
The dish is best served hot immediately after fluffing the rice.