Chicken Pelau

Ingredients for Chicken Pelau

• 240ml dry or 1 (350g) can pigeon peas, pinto beans, or black-eyed peas

• 475ml long-grain rice

• 3 tablespoons canola oil

• 180ml sugar (white or brown)

• 1 (3-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces, skin removed

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 240ml de leche de coco

• 1 hoja de laurel

• 2 teaspoons Green Seasoning

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1 ramita de tomillo

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 5 spring onions, chopped (white and green parts)

• Sal kosher

• 450g cubed fresh calabaza or butternut squash

• 1 small whole Scotch bonnet pepper

• 110g ketchup

• 1 cucharada de mantequilla

If using dried peas, soak them overnight in 725ml water. Drain. Bring 3 fresh cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and add the peas. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until cooked almost completely through. Drain and set aside. If using canned beans, drain, rinse with cold water, drain again, and set aside. Wash the rice by placing it in a colander or fine-mesh sieve and running cold water over it until the water runs clear, about 1 minute. Drain well and set aside.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven or other heavy, deep pot. Add the sugar and swirl in the pot, stirring constantly; allow it to caramelize to a dark brown colour. Add the chicken and stir well to coat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Stir in 475ml water, the coconut milk, bay leaf, Green Seasoning, parsley, thyme, carrots, and spring onions. Season with salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir the rice, squash, peas, hot pepper, ketchup, and butter into the chicken. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the peas and vegetables are tender. Remove lid and fluff the rice. The rice should be moist but not sticky. Remove bay leaf, thyme sprig, and hot pepper.

Note: Pigeon peas are traditional in this dish, but pinto beans or black-eyes peas also work well because, like pigeon peas, they hold their shape well after cooking. Brown sugar is preferable for deeper flavour and colour. Chicken is the most common meat in pelau, but cuts of stew beef or lamb work just as well. If using meat, up the cooking time before adding the rice to 40 minutes to allow the meat to get tender. In Tobago, pelau is often made with crab. West Indian pumpkin (also called calabaza) is ideal for this recipe, although the pie or "cheese" pumpkin common in the U.S., if in season, makes a very good substitute. Butternut squash will also work, although it will be slightly less sweet.

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