Peas & Rice Bahamian Style

15m
Prep Time
50m
Cook Time
1h 5m
Ready In


"DH and I took a trip to Costa Rica recently and at almost every meal we were served beans and rice. It got to be a joke with the other people on our tour: What's for lunch? Beans and Rice! But now I find myself craving beans and rice - any version is great. I found this Bahamian version on a blog called Hub Pages. I'm not sure who the author is, but here is my version - enjoy!"

Original is 5 servings

Nutritional

  • Serving Size: 1 (556.3 g)
  • Calories 535.8
  • Total Fat - 10.1 g
  • Saturated Fat - 3.2 g
  • Cholesterol - 23.4 mg
  • Sodium - 929.3 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate - 92.8 g
  • Dietary Fiber - 4.7 g
  • Sugars - 4.6 g
  • Protein - 15.7 g
  • Calcium - 65.1 mg
  • Iron - 2.5 mg
  • Vitamin C - 34.3 mg
  • Thiamin - 0.3 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Fry the bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, crumble and save until later. Remove all but about 1 tablespoon bacon grease from pan.

Step 2

Add onion and bell pepper to pan, sauté until onion is translucent. Add garlic, sauté for another minute.

Step 3

Return bacon to pan. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf and other dry spices.

Step 4

Simmer about ten minutes and then add the drained peas and the rice.

Step 5

Cover the pot and don't stir, but allow to cook until almost done - about 20 minutes or so.

Step 6

Remove pot from burner. Keep covered until rice is done, about 5-10 more minutes.

Step 7

Remove bay leaf and thyme if you tied it in a bundle.

Step 8

Serve

Tips


  • Kitchen twine/string if tying thyme in a bundle

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.


  • Be sure to use fresh thyme for the best flavor.
  • Look for Goya® brand pigeon peas for the best results.

  • Instead of bacon, use olive oil for a vegetarian option. The benefit of this substitution is that it provides a healthier option, as olive oil is lower in saturated fat than bacon.
  • Instead of pigeon peas, use black beans. The benefit of this substitution is that black beans are a more readily available ingredient, making it easier to find in most grocery stores.

Vegetarian Version Replace bacon with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. Replace pigeon peas with 1 can (14 ounce) black beans, drained.



Crispy Fried Plantains: This sweet and savory dish is a great accompaniment to the Peas & Rice Bahamian Style. It adds a delicious crunch and sweetness to the meal, and the flavors complement each other perfectly.


Coconut Rice: This simple yet flavorful side dish is the perfect accompaniment to the Peas & Rice Bahamian Style. The sweetness of the coconut rice pairs perfectly with the savory and sweet flavors in the fried plantains, and it adds a hint of creaminess to the meal.




FAQ

Q: What type of rice is best for this recipe?

A: Any long grain rice is suitable for this recipe, such as basmati or jasmine rice. Brown rice can also be used but will need to cook longer.



Q: How much liquid do I need?

A: The amount of liquid required depends on the type of rice you are using and the desired consistency. Generally, you will need 1.5 to 2 times the volume of liquid to the volume of rice. For example, if you are using 1 cup of rice, you will need 1.5 to 2 cups of liquid.

2 Reviews

Daily Inspiration

Made this delicious dish tonight to go with our dinner. The only change I made (due to necessity - couldn't find my tomato sauce in my pantry - LOL) was to sub canned tomatoes for the tomato sauce and I added a little more broth and some additional tomato paste. Hubby really enjoyed these peas and had two helpings. The recipe is easy to make and has lots of flavor. Nancy : )

5.0

(29 Sep 2016)

LifeIsGood

Excellent rice and peas (beans) recipe! We loved it. It is really flavorful, thanks to the bacon and then cooking the veggies in the bacon fat. The rice is done perfectly with these directions. I'm going to tuck this into my best of 2016 file. Thank you!

5.0

review by:
(1 Aug 2016)

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Fun facts:

The dish Peas & Rice Bahamian Style has been a staple of the Bahamian diet for centuries. It is believed to have originated from the African slaves who were brought to the Bahamas in the 1800s, who used what was available to them to create a dish that was both filling and flavorful.

The dish has been popularized by many celebrities, including basketball player Shaquille O'Neal and singer Rihanna, both of whom are from the Bahamas. O'Neal has been known to make the dish for his friends, while Rihanna has shared her own version of the recipe on her blog.