Recipes

Pigeon Peas with Coconut Rice

By: Hannah Lee Leidy
pigeon peas with coconut rice
Photo by Denny Culbert

Featuring the lesser-known legume, pigeon peas, this Caribbean-rooted rice dish boasts powerful flavor. With elements like bacon, ginger, coconut, and habanero, nearly all flavor profiles marry together in this hearty side dish. 

Photo by: James Smith

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yields

Serves 8

    ingredients
  • 1 cup diced bacon
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • ¾ cup diced onion
  • ⅔ cup diced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • 1 tablespoon diced habanero
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 pound frozen pigeon peas
 (or substitute frozen black-eyed peas)
  • 5 cups chicken stock, divided
  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
steps
  1. In a medium stock pot over medium heat, cook bacon until fat renders. Add ginger, onion, bell pepper, celery, habanero, bay leaf, and salt. When vegetables are tender, add peas and half the stock; simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
  2. Add remaining stock, rice, and coconut milk; simmer 20 minutes more. Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap until rice and peas are tender, about 10 minutes.

From Nina Compton’s Caribbean Christmas.

  • Recipe from Nina Compton, Bywater American Bistro, New Orleans
  • Contributing City
    New Orleans

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