Red Peas Soup

red_peas_soup

Jamaican Red Peas Soup is simply a delightful way to warm up your soul and satisfy your taste buds. With its unique blend of spices and ingredients, this soup is a treasure trove of flavors, textures, and aromas that will leave you feeling satisfied and comforted.

Traditionally, Red Peas Soup is a staple in Jamaica’s culinary culture, and it is understandable why. This soup offers nourishment, flavor, and a bit of cultural heritage that no other soup can. Whether it is consumed as a hearty stew on a cold or rainy day, or as a nutritious meal after a long day of work or play, it is hard to resist the aroma that emanates from a well-prepared pot of Red Peas Soup.

So, what makes Jamaican Red Peas Soup so special? Firstly, the soup’s base is made with a blend of local vegetables, herbs, and spices, including diced carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, garlic, thyme, pimento, and scallions. These ingredients are then sautéed in a pot until they are tender and fragrant, and then blended in a food processor to create a thick and creamy base for the soup.

Next, the red peas are added to the soup, which is a type of kidney bean that grows in abundance throughout Jamaica. These peas are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, making them a perfect addition to any healthy diet. After the peas are added to the soup, it is then simmered over low heat until they are fully cooked and tender.

One of the unique aspects of Jamaican Red Peas Soup is that it is often made with meats, such as beef or ox tail, which add protein and flavor to the soup. These meats are usually seasoned with Jamaican jerk seasoning or curry powder, which gives the soup its distinct flavor and heat.

Another ingredient that makes Jamaican Red Peas Soup stand out is the use of coconut milk. This ingredient is added towards the end of the cooking process and gives the soup a creamy texture and a slightly sweet note. Coconut milk is also an excellent source of healthy fats and has many health benefits, including aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.

Finally, to finish off the soup is usually served with Jamaican-style dumplings, also known as “spinners.” These dumplings are made from flour and water and are rolled into long cylindrical shapes. They are then cooked in the soup until they are tender and soak up all the delicious flavors of the soup.

In conclusion, Jamaican Red Peas Soup is a must-try for anyone who loves flavorful, nourishing soups. Its blend of ingredients, including red peas, meats, vegetables, herbs, spices, and coconut milk, gives it a unique and delicious taste that is sure to leave you wanting more. With its rich cultural heritage and mouth-watering flavors, this soup is a great addition to any dinner table or event.

Ingredients:

1 lb. beef stew meat 1 cup dried red peas 2 cups water 1 onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and chopped 2 stalks scallion, chopped 2 carrots, diced 1 Irish potato, diced 1/2 cup coconut milk 2 teaspoons thyme leaves 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 6 cups water

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the red peas, then place them in a large pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

  2. In another pot, brown the beef stew meat in vegetable oil. Add onion, garlic, Scotch bonnet pepper, and scallion to the pot and stir until the vegetables are soft.

  3. Add the browned beef stew meat and the vegetables to the pot of red peas. Add the diced carrots and Irish potato, thyme leaves, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.

  4. Reduce heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and the peas are soft.

  5. Add the coconut milk to the pot, stir, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

  6. Remove the bay leaves and Scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!