Rice and Peas
Long grain rice simmered in coconut milk with kidney beans, thyme and a whole scotch bonnet.
Why this recipe works
The plate that goes under everything else in Jamaican cooking. The scotch bonnet goes in whole and comes out whole — you want the perfume, not the burn.
Ingredients
Equipment: Heavy lidded pot
Method
- 1Drain the beans and simmer with coconut milk, garlic, thyme, escallion and allspice for 10 minutes.
- 2Add the rinsed rice and enough water to sit 2cm above the rice.
- 3Lay the whole scotch bonnet on top without piercing it.
- 4Bring to a boil, then cover and drop to the lowest heat for 25 minutes.
- 5Remove the pepper, fluff with a fork and rest covered for 5 minutes.
Chef notes
Chef tips
If the pepper bursts, take it out immediately — the whole pot will be too hot to eat.
Substitutions
Gungo (pigeon) peas are traditional and can replace kidney beans directly.
Storage
Fridge for 4 days in a sealed container.
Reheating
Sprinkle with a little water and steam covered on low, or microwave in short bursts.
Nutrition per serving
Values are chef estimates for one serving and will vary with brands and portioning.
Questions about Rice and Peas
Why is the scotch bonnet left whole?
A whole, unpierced pepper releases its aroma into the coconut milk without releasing the capsaicin. Pierce it and the pot becomes very hot.
Can I use dried beans?
Yes — soak overnight and simmer until tender before starting the recipe, then use the cooking liquid as part of your water.
Cooked live on Stream Sizzle
More Jamaican recipes
- 🔥Charcoal Jerk ChickenOvernight-marinated chicken thighs finished over charcoal with pimento smoke.110mHardJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🍲Brown Stew ChickenChicken browned in caramelised sugar then braised with peppers and thyme.75mMediumJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🥖Festival DumplingsSlightly sweet fried cornmeal dumplings, the standard partner to jerk.35mMediumJamaicanby Renee Blaze
More from Renee Blaze
- 🔥Charcoal Jerk ChickenOvernight-marinated chicken thighs finished over charcoal with pimento smoke.110mHardJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🍲Brown Stew ChickenChicken browned in caramelised sugar then braised with peppers and thyme.75mMediumJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🥖Festival DumplingsSlightly sweet fried cornmeal dumplings, the standard partner to jerk.35mMediumJamaicanby Renee Blaze
Cook with the same ingredients
- 🍲Brown Stew ChickenChicken browned in caramelised sugar then braised with peppers and thyme.75mMediumJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🔥Charcoal Jerk ChickenOvernight-marinated chicken thighs finished over charcoal with pimento smoke.110mHardJamaicanby Renee Blaze
- 🍤Coconut Curry ShrimpShrimp simmered briefly in a coconut milk curry with scotch bonnet and lime.30mEasyCaribbeanby Tonio Baptiste
Cook it live with us
Stream Sizzle chefs cook dishes like this in head-to-head live battles — join the chat, vote for a winner and ask questions while the pan is hot.