Stew Chicken with Rice and Peas

It really struck me while researching food in Belize how it's food seems to have heavy Caribbean influences, much more than neighbouring Mexico - but still maintained some of the more continental style of cuisine. Belize has a rich past history, it was part of the Mayan Civilization, it was then colonised by Spain, fought over and turned to British rule in 1789. In became a formal colony in 1840 and gained independence from the UK in 1981. Today English is their official language, but Creole and Spanish also feature heavily. Much like the rest of Central and South America they have a wonderful biodiversity and Belize is well known for its coral reefs.

This week I decided to cook stew chicken with rice and beans - I found this dish really spoke to me and it looked and tasted delicious! It was very easy to make and I will be making it again! I served it with a refreshing mango, coconut and tomato salad with a coriander and lemon dressing! The recipe I used can be found here! or you can scroll down for my adapted version.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Stew Chicken Ingredients

• 2kg chicken pieces (not breast)

• lime juice to taste

• 1/4 tsp cumin

• 1tbsp red recado/annato/achiote paste paste (if you can't find it use paprika, coriander seeds and cumin)

• 1 tsp of thyme

• 1 clove garlic crushed

• 1 tsp. brown sugar

• 1 small tomato (ripe)

• 1 sliver of ginger (very small)

• Coriander to taste

• salt, and black pepper

• 2tbsp oil

• half a cup of water

Rice and Beans Ingredients

• 2 tins of kidney beans - rinsed

• 6 cups water

• 1 medium onion, diced finely

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 3 cups dry rice

• 2 cloves garlic smashed

• 1 tsp. salt
  

Method

Stew Chicken Instructions

1. Coat chicken with mixture of lime juice, recado, salt, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and coriander - leave to marinate in the fridge for 15min to overnight.

2. Heat two tablespoons of cooking oil in a large saucepan. Add brown sugar, garlic and ginger to the oil. As soon as the ginger turns brown remove it.

3. Add seasoned chicken and cook until fully browned on all sides.

4. Add tomato, and half cup of water to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan and simmer for one hour. Check regularly to make sure the chicken isn't sticking and water isn't evaporating - if it is, the temperature is too high.

Rice and Beans Instructions

1. While the chicken cooks add the beans, onion and garlic to a saucepan. Boil on high heat for 5-10 minutes.

2. Add coconut milk and return mixture to a rolling boil.

3. Wash the rice and add it to the saucepan.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is cooked.