Friday, September 16, 2011

Jamaican Red Bean Stew with Coconut Rice (gluten and dairy free)

Okay, I know...what am I doing with STEW when we are still burning up here in Northern California!  The fact is, this is the most delicious meal and a family favorite.  Hot weather or not, I make it and we all eat it up like maniacs! 
Stew:
Ingredients
-1/2 red onion, diced 
-2 carrots, chopped 
-1 large sweet potato, chopped 
-2 cups cherry tomatoes, halfed
-3 cups cooked red beans 
-1 can full fat coconut milk
-1 cup water (or broth of choice)
-1 low-sodium vegetable boullion cube (optional)
-2 tablespoons green curry paste
-1/4 teaspoon Jamaican allspice 
-1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 
-3 tablespoons of coconut oil 
-1 1/2 tablespoons garlic granules 
-Salt for seasoning and to taste
-A few turns of the pepper grinder
-2 tablespoons tapioca starch for thickening stew (or preferred thickener) 

How To
1.  Add oil and a touch of salt to a large pot such as a dutch oven and saute onions for a few minutes.  Add carrots, sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, beans and saute together; add a pinch more salt. 
2.  Add allspice, garlic granules, curry paste, thyme, and pepper to vegetables and combine until cozy and beautiful
3.  Add coconut milk and water and bring to a boil.  Add in vegetable bullion cube and turn to low and simmer.
4.  Cook covered for about 45 mins or until sweet potatoes are tender. 
5.  In a small bowl add 4 tablespoons of the hot liquid with 2 tablespoons tapioca flour/starch.  Add back into pot and incorporate.  
6.  Turn off heat and let sit for a bit before serving

Coconut Rice:
Ingredients
-2 cups brown basmati rice
-2 cups full fat coconut milk
-2 cups water
-Oil of choice 
-Dash of salt  

How To
1.  Bring rice, coconut milk, water, oil and salt to a boil
2.  Turn to low and cover for 35-40 minutes

Notes
*Add red pepper flakes for additional spice
*Garnish with dried thyme 
*This meal would also taste great with a meat of choice.  If using raw meat, cook with onions.  If cooked meat, add with the other vegetable ingredients and combine with spice...add more liquid to this dish if using meat, I would add equal parts water and coconut milk

Enjoy! 

7 comments:

  1. I am going to make this this week! Do you have more info on Jamaican allspice...unfamiliar

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi There Tessa~

    I hope you enjoy it!

    I found that adding more of the Allspice actually made the dish taste sort of bla (so a 1/4 teaspoon was just right).
    I use this brand:
    http://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Natural-Allspice-Ground-Jamaican/dp/B0001M11CI

    Another note regarding the above curry paste (if using): It might be me, but I think they changed their recipe, as it seems spicier than it has been in recent years. Scott thinks maybe it was that batch, but you never know. I would start with 2 teaspoons, maybe a tablespoon, or give it a taste yourself. I remember detecting hardly any spice when tasting it right from the jar. I'm always cognizant of the spice factor with kids, so just a heads up.

    Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

    --Amber :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I will. Some curry paste batches are more spicy than others...just like sometime my jalapenos are crazy hot, and other times they seem almost mild! I bet that accounts for the variance...I have noticed that in the past too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Tessa~

    You make a good point! I didn't think about the varying heat in the actual pepper, but that makes perfect sense! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tessa Domestic DivaDecember 4, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    SLURP!!! Just enjoyed a steaming bowl of this creamy dreamy stew! So delicious, will be a Winter recipe staple!! I left the allspice out (didn't have it), used 2 cans red beans, added some tarragon. Didn't have it, but was wishing for a creamy slice of avocado to accompany this too! I bet some toasted, chopped cashews would be good too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Tessa, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I love your alternative ingredient suggestions. Thanks so much! I've been playing out in the yard all weekend. Simply gorgeous weather on this end (it was 70 on Friday)! Although I'm looking forward to the rain (and snow in Tahoe)...can't wait for some snowboarding! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tessa Domestic DivaDecember 5, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    we have had amazing weather here too....i have been outside as much as possible too...but it is still chilly! Hoping we can actually snowshoe this winter, I miss it terribly but wondering if taking the kids is worth it!

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Total Pageviews