Diri ak Djondjon (Haitian Black Mushroom Rice)
Local name: Diri ak djondjon
In short: Fragrant black rice colored by dried djon djon mushrooms and cooked with lima beans, thyme and a whole scotch bonnet, a Haitian celebration side. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 305 kcal
Diri ak djondjon is the black rice served at Haitian celebrations, from Sunday lunches to weddings. Dried djon djon mushrooms, which come from the north of the country, are simmered to make a dark, earthy liquid that colors and perfumes the rice, and the mushrooms themselves are strained out. It is cooked with lima beans or green peas, thyme and a whole scotch bonnet pepper, and it is the usual partner for griyo and pikliz.
Instructions
- Rinse the dried mushrooms quickly. Put them in a saucepan with the water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes, until the liquid is very dark.
- Strain the liquid through a fine sieve lined with a clean cloth, pressing on the mushrooms. Discard the mushrooms and measure 700 ml (3 cups) of liquid, adding water if you are short.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic and scallions for 3 minutes until soft. Add the thyme and cloves and stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes so the grains are coated and slightly translucent. Add the lima beans.
- Pour in the mushroom liquid, add the salt and lay the whole scotch bonnet on top. Bring to a boil, then cover tightly and reduce the heat to low.
- Cook for 18 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Lift out the pepper carefully without breaking it, and discard it with the thyme stems. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.
Tips
- Djon djon is sold in Caribbean markets and online. If you cannot find it, dried black trumpet or porcini mushrooms give a similar earthy flavor, though the rice will look browner.
- Keep the scotch bonnet whole. It gives fragrance without much heat, but if it bursts the rice will be very spicy, so lift it out gently.
Questions and answers
What are djon djon mushrooms?
They are small dried black mushrooms from northern Haiti. They are not eaten whole, but simmered to release a dark liquid that gives the rice its color and a deep, earthy aroma.
Can I make diri ak djondjon ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 4 days and reheats well with a splash of water, covered, in a pan or the microwave.
What do you serve with diri ak djondjon?
Griyo (fried pork), pikliz, fried plantains and a bean sauce are the usual partners. It is also served with chicken in sauce or fish at celebrations.
How long does it take to make Diri ak Djondjon (Haitian Black Mushroom Rice)?
About 1 h in total: 15 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Diri ak Djondjon (Haitian Black Mushroom Rice)?
About 305 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 57 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 305 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
