Coconut Rice and Beans

Jamaican-inspired coconut rice and beans — a hearty one-pot base that pairs well with chicken or fish.

Prep: 5 minCook: 25 minTotal: 30 min6 cups

Ingredients

Main

  • 1 tsp (5 g) ghee
  • ½ medium (120 g) yellow onionchopped
  • 2 cloves garlicchopped
  • 1 cup (200 g) long-grain rice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp gingerfreshly grated
  • 1 cube vegetable stock cube
  • 1 cup water
  • 200 ml light coconut milkKara
  • 1 can kidney beansrinsed and drained
  • 1 can green peasdrained
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 whole Scotch bonnet chillior ½ tsp chilli flakes
  • ½ lime lime(optional)

Method

  1. Sauté the onion
    • Heat the ghee in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
    • Add the onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until the edges begin to brown.
  2. Add the garlic and rice
    • Add the garlic and rice, stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients
    • Add the ginger, salt, water, and coconut milk. Crumble in the stock cube and stir well.
    • Add the kidney beans and green peas. Sprinkle the thyme over everything.
    • Add the whole Scotch bonnet (or chilli flakes).
  4. Cook
    • Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover.
    • Cook for 15–20 minutes until the rice is done. Check after 15 minutes.
  5. Rest
    • Remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes.
  6. Serve
    • Fluff with a fork. Squeeze over lime if using. Discard the Scotch bonnet before serving.

Notes

To make it high protein: Add 100 g cooked chicken breast per serve (+165 kcal, +31 g protein). Slice or shred and stir in just before serving.

Scotch bonnet: Cook it whole and discard at the end. It adds a gentle background warmth without making the dish hot. If using chilli flakes instead, stir them in with the liquids.

Adapted from Simply Recipes.

Nutrition Facts

Makes 6 cups

Serving size: 1 of 6 cups

Calories

Per serving

292

Total recipe

1752

Total Fat
6.5g39g
Total Carbs
45.3g272g
Dietary Fiber
5.5g33g
Protein
11.8g71g