Belizean Rice and Beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb beans 450 g
• ½ tsp pepper 2 ml
• ½ tsp thyme 2 ml
• 1 tsp salt 5 ml
• 2 plugs garlic (crushed)
• 1 medium onion (sliced)
• 1 dried coconut (grated) (to give 1 cup milk)
• 2 lbs rice 900 g
• 1 small pig's tail or salted beef (optional, trim fat) or bacon
• 6 – 8 cups water

Procedures

1. Soak beans for 4 – 6 hours.
2. Boil beans until tender with garlic, onion, and pig's tail (or use pressure cooker).
3. Season beans with black pepper, thyme, and salt.
4. Add coconut milk.
5. Stir and taste.
6. Let boil.
7. Clean rice.
8. Add clean rice to seasoned beans.
9. Stir, then cover.
10. Cook until water is absorb or rice is tender.
11. If necessary, add more water gradually until rice is tender.