Rice With Green Peas And Beans | Ingredients | Method | Health Tips

By | May 28, 2010

Rice With Green Peas And Beans

No. of Servings:      2 – 3
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 15 – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Pigeon peas – 1 cup (boiled)
  • Red beans – 1 cup
  • Coconut milk – 1 cups
  • Long grain rice – 2 cups
  • Green onions – 3 (finely chopped)
  • Garlic – 1 clove (crushed)
  • Fresh Thyme – 3 sprigs
  • Salt – to taste
  • Water – 2 cups

Method:

  • Coconut milk can be prepared by adding water to freshly grated coconut and then squeezing and straining the mixture to get a white liquid that is very similar to milk. The richness/ consistency of coconut milk can be modified by controlling the amount of water added to the grated coconut.
  • Soak the washed red beans overnight in a bowl of plain water and then boil them until they are parboiled.
  • Take a heavy bottomed pan and pour in the parboiled beans along with the coconut milk, green onions, thyme, garlic, rice and salt. You may also add some additional spices such as cloves and cumin seeds to give it a unique taste.
  • Mix all these ingredients well together and allow them to cook for some time till the beans are tender.
  • Add the water to this mixture until it rises above the rice by almost half an inch.
  • Stir the mixture occasionally while it cooks on a medium flame. Just before the rice is almost cooked, pour in the boiled peas.
  • The rice typically would take 15 minutes to cook completely, however keep checking it from time to time to prevent it from getting overcooked.
  • Once the dish is ready, serve it hot with a garnish of coriander leaves and slice lime.

Health Tips:

  • Peas are known to be good sources of vitamin, proteins and minerals like potassium, manganese etc.
  • They are also a rich source of anti oxidants and fiber required by the body to maintain good health.
  • Beans are also extremely healthy and are considered to be good for the heart by trapping bile which contains cholesterol.
  • Beans are also extremely beneficial to diabetics as in addition to keeping the cholesterol levels low, they also help in creating tiny sites in the blood which allow the insulin to dock thereby making it available to the cells as and when required by them.
  • Rice is also an excellent source of carbohydrates which is used by the body to develop muscles and vital tissue.