Belizean Rice and Beans with Coconut Milk
A staple in Belizean cuisine, this flavorful rice and beans dish is cooked with coconut milk, giving it a rich, slightly sweet, and aromatic profile. It's often served as a side dish with various meats and stews.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Long-grain white rice
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Kidney beans(rinsed and drained, or 1.5 cups dried beans, soaked and cooked)
- 1 can (13.5 oz) Full-fat coconut milk
- 1.5 cups Water or chicken broth
- 1/2 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(whole, or to taste; optional)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil or coconut oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the rinsed kidney beans, coconut milk, and water (or broth). Add the whole Scotch bonnet pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to break the Scotch bonnet pepper if you want less heat. - 4
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the uncooked rice. Ensure the rice is submerged.
💡 Tip: If using dried beans, add them cooked at this stage. - 5
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
💡 Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to allow steam to cook the rice evenly. - 6
Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use freshly grated coconut and extract your own coconut milk.
- ✓Adjust the amount of Scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference. For mild heat, leave it whole and remove before serving.
- ✓This dish is excellent served with fried fish, stew chicken, or pork.
🔄 Variations
- Add a bay leaf during the simmering process for an extra layer of aroma.
- Incorporate a can of drained sweet corn for added sweetness and texture.
- For a vegetarian/vegan version, ensure you use vegetable broth or water and serve with plant-based proteins.