About the Jamaican Stewed Peas

Jamaicans refer to red kidney beans as red peas. In other countries a stew is usually a one pot meal and maybe that was the premise for the stewed peas. There are some places in Jamaica that make stewed peas with yam and cocoa but the general consensus is that stewed peas is a protein dish to be had with rice and vegetables.

In other words, stewed is a meat dish, cannot be had by itself or is not a full meal. Stewed peas is very popular and some households make it a ritual or tradition to make the dish once per week. Lots of Jamaicans love stewed peas and many will tell you that they can't live without it.

The dish is usually served with cooked white rice, what we also call plain rice. However, if you prefer your stewed peas with yam and dumplings, no problem.

Here are some tips on making the stewed peas for your specific taste

• Add salt beef if you like
• omit meat all together and add vege chunks for a vegetarian version
• omit meat or vege chunks and add carrots, corn and Irish potatoes for an Ital version (Rastafarian style)
• For the recipe I have posted, use 1/2 cup coconut cream for the coconut flavour.
• When putting the peas to boil for the first time before it starts boiling add 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
• Add minced garlic when seasoning the pot
• Use cornstarch to thicken instead of flour
• Use w/w flour for spinners
• Add your favourite seasoning for a more spicy flavour (make sure you don't over salt the stewed peas)
• For a sweeter flavour, add diced onions (not a popular option)

Please see left link list for recipe.Enjoy your Jamaican style stewed peas!