Caribbean Stew Peas

This delicious Caribbean classic has variants from island to island. In this recipe we omitted the meat, to create an equally delicious vegan dish.

Spinners are simply dumplings in the shape of mini torpedoes or a slender cigar. These dumplings are also known as "spinners and sinkers" because their long, tapered shape causes them to sink and spin while they cook, whereas traditional dumplings tend to bob and float.

Ingredients

Spinners

  • 100g Plain flour (sifted)

  • 50 - 120ml cold water

  • Pinch of salt (optional)

Stew peas

  • 250g dried kidney beans (soaked overnight)

  • 1 vegetable stock cube (small size)

  • 5 crushed pimento berries

  • 1 tin coconut milk

  • 3 garlic cloves crushed

  • 1 large red onion (chopped)

  • 3 sprigs of thyme

  • 5 spring onions (chopped)

  • 2 large carrots (diced)

  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (leave whole)

  • 1 teaspoon salt

Method

Make the spinners first:

  1. Add the flour to a medium-sized mixing bowl

  2. Add water a little at a time and knead to form a firm dough

  3. Leave your dough to rest for about 30 minutes

  4. Separate dough into small pieces, and roll in your palm to form a cigar shape

  5. Set your spinners aside

Now make the stew peas:

  1. Wash the soaked beans until the water runs clear.

  2. Add the beans to a large pot with 800 - 1000ml water. Add crushed pimento berries and vegetable stock cube. Cover and boil on medium heat for 30 -40 mins or until beans are cooked.

  3. Add the coconut milk, garlic, onion, thyme, spring onion, carrot, and scotch bonnet pepper. Add additional water (up to 300 - 500 ml) depending on how thick you want your soup to be.

  4. Cover the pot and bring to boil.

  5. Add the spinners. Cover and cook on medium to low heat until the liquid reduces and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

  6. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and thyme before serving

Tips

  • Substitute coconut milk with low-fat coconut milk, it lowers the fat by almost 50%

  • Vary your vegetables by adding a bit of squash or pumpkin

  • This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months

Recipe serves 4

Photo courtesy of the That Girl Cooks Healthy website:

https://thatgirlcookshealthy.com/jamaican-stew-peas/