
Jamaica is a beautiful island located in the Greater Antilles and was the home of Bob Marley, one of my favorite musicians.
Some ingredients used in Jamaican cuisine are similar to the ingredients used in Colombian cuisine. Some examples of this are: plantains, yuca, coconut milk, beans, avocado, tropical fruits and anatto.
As you may know by now, my friend Joan from Foodalogue is having a virtual culinary tour and this week she is going to Jamaica. So, I will be joining her with a traditional Jamaican side dish, rice and peas.
Soon you may be asking, "where are the peas in this recipe?". Well, in Jamaica, beans are called peas. This recipe is flavourful and delicious and is especially good with fried plantains on the side.

Jamaican Rice and Peas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 habanero pepper finely chopped
- 3 scallions chopped
- 1 ½ cups rice
- 1 can 15.5 oz red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 11/2 cups coconut milk
- 2 cups water
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium pot. Add the scallions and cook about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and habanero and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the rice and stir until well combined.
- Add the beans, salt, pepper, water, coconut milk, butter and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for about 35 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork and serve warm.


Kudrat kart
Adorable recipe more the swing of the Jamaican rhythm with coconut milk
Have a great week,
Connie
A truly hearty Jamaican meal. Healthy and nutritious. Wonderfully represented here.
Jeanette
I love the flavors of Jamaican food, and this looks really tasty. I might try it with brown rice.
Chris
Nice easy side dish and I like the way you presented it in a timbale.
Kitchen Butterfly
Those plantains...........look heavenly!!!!!
Joanne
To be honest, I'm pretty sure everything tastes good with fried plantains on the side. God I love those things.
This dish looks amazing! Apparently I really like Jamaican food.
Erica
Thank you:)
Lyndsey
I wanted another good beans and rice recipe. I love using coconut milk in my rice. This one sounds so good! Thanks!
Oysterculture
A great adaptation on that wonderful combo beans and rice. I really like the addition of coconut milk.
Rachana Kothari
Wow!!! this is such a great recipe and you've presented it so beautifully:)
grace
ha--i wondered where those brown, kidney-shaped peas were grown. 🙂 great recipe and lovely presentation!
ap269
The combination of the rice with the plantains sounds delicious! I wasn't too happy with my Jamaican recipe, but yours looks really good!
Erica
Thank you guys for the wonderful comments!
Gera @ Sweets Foods Blog
Adorable recipe more the swing of the Jamaican rhythm with coconut milk 🙂
Have a great week,
Gera
The Trinigourmet
As someone with a Jamaican mother I must say it was wonderful to see not only an 'authentic' recipe but also down home presentation 🙂 Now I'm hungry! Kudos 🙂