Peas and Rice

Ingredients

• ¼ lb salt pork, chopped
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, fresh, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp thyme
• 2 cayenne chiles, stems and seeds removed or substitute 1 habanero pepper
• 2 cup rice
• ½ cup pigeon peas
• 1 qt chicken broth
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Procedures

1. Fry the salt pork to render the fat. Add the oil, onion, bell pepper, and celery and saute until soft.
2. Stir in the tomato paste, thyme and chile and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add the rice, peas, and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 35 minutes.