Haitian Rice and Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice
• 1 cup (200g) dried red kidney beans 1 cup (200g) dried red kidney beans
• 4 cups (960ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (960ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 whole cloves 2 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 65g, 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the kidney beans and soak them in water overnight. Drain the beans before cooking.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the soaked kidney beans, vegetable broth, coconut milk, thyme sprigs, cloves, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
4. 4.
   While the beans are simmering, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice.
5. 5.
   Once the beans are tender, remove the thyme sprigs and cloves from the pot. Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
7. 7.
   Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Serve hot and enjoy the authentic flavors of Diri ak Pwa.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Coconut milk — Shake the can of coconut milk well before using to ensure the cream and liquid are well combined.
• Dried red kidney beans — Soaking the beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and ensures they cook evenly.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the vegetable broth with mushroom or vegetable stock.
• If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped scotch bonnet pepper to the pot while simmering the beans.
• Leftover Diri ak Pwa can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Simply reheat it in a pan with a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent it from drying out.

Serving advice

Serve Diri ak Pwa as a main course, accompanied by fried plantains or avocado slices. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

To elevate the presentation of Diri ak Pwa, serve it in individual bowls and sprinkle some chopped green onions on top. You can also place a sprig of fresh thyme as a garnish.