peas n’ rice

Peas ’n’ rice is a Bahamian side dish served with fish or meat. The peas are pigeon peas, cooked with rice and seasonings such as onion, tomato and thyme. Bahamian writer Gabrielle Misiewicz describes both tomato-based and coconut-milk preparations, with salt beef or pork added in some versions.^[1]

Ainsley Harriott’s preparation for Ainsley’s Taste of the Bahamas uses canned pigeon peas. Onion, pepper and celery are softened before garlic, thyme, tomatoes and tomato paste are added. The peas and rice cook together in stock or water; browning seasoning gives his version a darker colour. Smoked bacon and Scotch bonnet pepper are optional additions in his recipe.^[2]