Diri Kole ak Pwa (Haitian Rice and Red Beans)
Local name: Diri kole ak pwa
In short: Haitian rice and red beans cooked in the dark bean liquid with thyme and cloves, so the grains stay soft and cling together. A filling everyday meal. It takes about 1 h 55 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 55 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 315 kcal
Diri kole ak pwa is Haiti's everyday rice and beans, cooked so the rice clings together. Red beans are simmered with thyme and cloves, then the rice finishes cooking in the dark bean liquid with some of the beans mashed in, which gives a pink-brown color and deep flavor. It is served beside griyo, fish or chicken in sauce, and it is filling enough to eat on its own with pikliz.
Instructions
- Put the soaked beans in a pot with the water, thyme, cloves and scallions. Bring to a rolling boil and boil hard for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam. Then cover and simmer for 60 to 75 minutes, until the beans are completely soft.
- Strain the beans over a bowl, keeping the cooking liquid. Discard the thyme stems, cloves and scallions. Measure 700 ml (3 cups) of liquid, adding water if needed.
- Mash about one third of the beans with a fork, or blend them with a little liquid, to a coarse paste.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot and cook the onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes to coat the grains.
- Add the bean liquid, mashed beans, whole beans, salt and the whole scotch bonnet. Bring to a boil, then cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 20 minutes.
- Rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the pepper without breaking it, fluff with a fork and serve hot.
Tips
- Use the bean cooking liquid, not plain water, for the rice. It carries the color and flavor of the beans.
- In a hurry, use two 400 g (14 oz) cans of kidney beans with their liquid, topped up with water to 700 ml. The rice will be slightly less deeply flavored.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between diri kole and rice and peas?
Diri kole ak pwa cooks rice in the liquid of red beans with thyme and cloves and no coconut. Jamaican rice and peas typically uses coconut milk and has a different spice profile.
Can I make diri kole ak pwa ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and freezes for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water, covered.
Which beans can I use?
Red kidney beans are most common, but black beans or pigeon peas are also used. Cook them until completely soft so they mash easily.
How long does it take to make Diri Kole ak Pwa (Haitian Rice and Red Beans)?
About 1 h 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Diri Kole ak Pwa (Haitian Rice and Red Beans)?
About 315 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 59 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 315 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
