The Best Rice in the World comes from Haiti. Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa) is a a staple dish in many Caribbean households. The protein packed beans and the filling carbs from the rice is sure to bring together your dinner plate. Haitians take it to another level. We add an assortment of herbs and spices that make a simple side dish on your plate the main event. Try this Haitian rice and bean recipe for your next dinner and indulge in what most Haitians will say is the best rice in the world.
Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa) is the side dish and the main course. It full of flavor and with just a little and love you can meal prep what’s going to be the best part of your dinner plate. Have it with chicken, steak, or fish and pair it with some vegetables on the side. Trust me when I say this is about to be your new favorite way to make rice.
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For the Rice and Bean Lovers
How To Make The Perfect Rice
I know making rice can seem really tricky for some people. Getting the right measurements and ratio can determine whether your rice is too soft or under done. Here I’m gonna give you a few tips on how to make sure your rice comes out perfect each time.
- Wash Your Rice. First I like to sift through the rice to make sure that there aren’t any impurities in the batch. Then I grab a bowl and wash the rice thoroughly by mixing and rinsing the rice in the water until the water runs clear to remove all the extra starch. That is probably one of the most important parts when it comes to making sure your rice comes out the perfect texture and consistency.
- Rice to Water Ratio. There are a few methods to make sure the ratio of rice to water is perfect. The most common is the 2:1 ratio, 2 cups of water to one cup of rice. There’s also the method of creating a small mountain of rice in the center of a pot of water and making sure the water is about one inch above the rice. For long grain rice I use 1 3/4 cup of water for every cup of rice. After a while you’ll get used to measuring out the perfect amount. At this point, I just eyeball it and make sure that the water is about 1 inch above the amount of rice that I put in the pot.
- Set it and Forget it. Whether you are using a rice cooker or the stove top method, one essential part of making sure your rice comes out perfect is leaving it alone once you start cooking. Don’t uncover it to check halfway through. Let the steam cook the rice through and make sure that the heat is at medium level. Trust the process.
How To Make Beans
In my household, it’s practically dishonorable to use a can of beans to make rice. However; this is a judgment free zone. If you want a faster method to make your rice and beans then by all means do whatever makes you happy and helps you save time.
But if you want to level up your game starting off with dried beans is the way to go. To help with making sure your beans are tender one method is to soak your beans overnight and then boiling it the next day for about 20 minutes for peak tenderness. In this recipe I’m going to be showing you how to prep the beans the same day which only focuses on washing soaking for about 10 minutes and then boiling the beans until it’s tender.
You don’t want your beans tunes soggy or two over done because we’re going to be also cooking the beans with the rice as the final step in this recipe to incorporate all of the flavors together.
So let’s have some fun, grab your ingredients down below, grab your apron, and let’s make some delicious Haitian rice and beans.
Check Out The Full Video Tutorial To Make Haitian Rice and Beans Here
You’ll Love This Recipe If…
- You Love Rice
- You Love Haitian Food
- You’re looking For a New way to revamp your rice and beans
- You Love Flavor and spice
Ingredients For Haitian Rice and Black Beans
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- Black Beans. Haitian Rice and Beans can be made with a variety of beans. I’m using black beans in this recipe, but the other commons beans you can alternate with is pinto beans and kidney beans.
- Long-Grain Jasmine Rice. This is what my mother always used and I’m following her footsteps. The rice always comes out perfect. If you are craving a different flavor profile, you can try Basmati Rice as well.
- Epis. The classic Haitian green seasoning. CLICK HERE for the recipe to make your very own.
- Cooking Oil. You can use extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Veggies and Herbs. Onion, Garlic, Thyme. Scotch Bonnet.
- Seasonings. Seasoned Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder. Onion Powder, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Adobo, Creole Seasoning, Maggi Chicken Flavored Bouillon
Kitchen Must Haves
What Can I Pair with My Rice and Beans?
Rice and Beans is the perfect side dish to most dinners and meal preps. You can add it on the of side of a variety of food.
Many things will pair well with this dish, but here are just a few suggestions.
- Meat: Chicken, Salmon, Fish, Steak, Pork Griot, Shrimp
- Plant-Based Protein: Tofu,
- Vegetables: Asparagus, Broccoli, Spinach, Green Beans, Corn
- Potatoes
- Plantains: Boiled or Fried
How To Make Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa)
PREP AND COOK THE BEANS
In a medium pot, bring salted water to a boil. Rinse your black beans in small bowl to remove any impurities and add to the boiling water.
Next, we are going to add some flavor to the beans by throwing in a whole garlic clove, a thyme spring, and a sprinkle of chicken bouillon maggi cube. This will add a nice aroma to the beans while it cooks. Cover the pot and let it boil until the beans are tender on medium heat for about an hour. Make sure to check periodically to avoid mushy beans.
COOK THE RICE AND BEANS
In a large pot, heat up some oil and sauté some crushed garlic, sliced onions, and transfer just the tender beans. Here you are going to add a little seasoning and mix it all together.
Now, we are going to add the water from the boiled beans to the pot and bring to a boil. Here, you can check if you’ve added enough seasoning to taste and adjust to your liking.
Time for the rice. Wash the long grain white rice until water runs clear to remove all the extra starch and then mix into the pot.
Let the rice and beans cook for 15- 20 minutes or until the water reduces a bit. Add a whole scotch bonnet, cover the pot of rice and beans and cook on medium heat until done. Grab a plate serve as a side dish with your favorite meals and ENJOY!
Bon Appétit !
If you tried this Haitian Rice and Beans recipe, let us know in the comments below, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #goodeatsandepis on Instagram.
Haitian Rice and Black Beans (Diri ak Pwa Nwa)
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Black Beans
- ¼ cup Onion
- 6 Garlic cloves crushed
- 2 Thyme sprigs
- 3 cups Long Grain Jasmine Rice
- 3 tbsp Cooking Oil
Seasonings
- ¼ Maggi cube Chicken Flavored Bouillon
- 2 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tsp Adobo
- 1 tsp Seasoned Salt
- 1 tsp Creole Seasoning
- 1 Scotch Bonnet
Instructions
- Boil 4-5 cups of salted water in a medium pot.
- Wash black beans and add to pot.
- Add garlic clove, thyme sprig, and Maggi cube.
- Cover pot and let boil on med-high heat for about an hour or until tender.
- Heat oil in another pot.
- Sauté onions and garlic, and add black beans to the pot.
- Add seasonings to taste and mix.
- Add the bean water to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Wash rice until water runs clear then mix into pot. Ensure water level is abput 1 inch above the rice.
- Let cook for 20 minutes or until some of the water reduces.
- Add a whole scotch bonnet on top of the rice, cover the pot and cook on medium heat until done. Make sure to not let the scotch bonnet break open to avoid the rice becoming spicy.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Video
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