Haitian Mushroom Rice (Diri ak Djon Djon)

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice
• 1 cup (200g) dried djon djon mushrooms 1 cup (200g) dried djon djon mushrooms
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 62g, 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried djon djon mushrooms under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Place them in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 30 minutes until they are fully rehydrated.
2. 2.
   Drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the mushrooms into small pieces.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   Add the chopped mushrooms to the pot and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the rice, salt, black pepper, and thyme to the pot. Stir well to coat the rice with the vegetable mixture.
6. 6.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked.
8. 8.
   Stir in the frozen peas and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the peas to thaw and heat through.
9. 9.
   Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Djon Djon mushrooms — Make sure to fully rehydrate the mushrooms before using them in the recipe. The soaking liquid adds a lot of flavor, so be sure to reserve it for cooking the rice.
• Long-grain white rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve a fluffy texture.
• Bell pepper, carrot, and peas — Dice the vegetables into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the rice.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of coconut milk to the rice while it simmers.
• If you can't find djon djon mushrooms, you can substitute with dried shiitake mushrooms for a similar earthy taste.
• To make the dish more substantial, you can add cooked beans such as black beans or kidney beans to the rice.
• Serve the Diri ak Djon Djon with a side of fried plantains for a traditional Haitian meal.
• Leftover Diri ak Djon Djon can be transformed into delicious rice balls by shaping the cold rice into balls, coating them in breadcrumbs, and frying until golden brown.

Serving advice

Serve the Diri ak Djon Djon as a main dish accompanied by a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of the dish, mold the rice into a round shape using a small bowl or ramekin. Carefully invert it onto the serving plate for an elegant presentation. Sprinkle some additional chopped parsley or cilantro on top for a pop of color.