Jamaican Red Peas Soup with Spinners
In short: Jamaican soup of red kidney beans, beef, yam and coconut milk, with small flour dumplings called spinners and a whole scotch bonnet. It takes about 3 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 2 h 30 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 3 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 580 kcal
Red peas soup is a Saturday tradition in many Jamaican homes. The 'peas' are red kidney beans, simmered with beef until they break down and thicken the broth. Coconut milk, thyme, scallion and allspice give the pot its flavor, and chunks of yam, carrot and potato make it a full meal. Small hand-rolled flour dumplings, known as spinners, go in at the end. A whole scotch bonnet adds fragrance without much heat if it stays intact.
Instructions
- Put the beans, beef and water in a large pot. Boil hard for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam, then reduce to a steady simmer, partly covered, for 1 hour.
- Stir in the coconut milk, onion, scallions, garlic, thyme, allspice, salt and black pepper. Simmer for 45 minutes more, until the beans are very soft and the beef is tender.
- Mash about a quarter of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth. Add the yam, potatoes, carrots and the whole scotch bonnet and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the flour and salt for the spinners. Add the water a little at a time and knead to a stiff dough. Pinch off small pieces and roll them between your palms into thin, short cylinders.
- Drop the spinners into the simmering soup, stir gently and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until they float and feel firm.
- Remove the scotch bonnet, thyme stalks and scallions. Taste, adjust the salt and serve hot.
Tips
- No time to soak? Use three 400 g (14 oz) cans of kidney beans, drained, and add them with the vegetables after the beef has simmered for 1 hour.
- Salted pigtail or salt beef, soaked and boiled first, is a common addition. Add it with the beef at the start and cut back on the salt.
Questions and answers
What are spinners in Jamaican soup?
Spinners are small, finger-shaped dumplings made from flour and water, rolled between the palms until long and thin. They cook in the soup and thicken it slightly.
Can I make red peas soup without meat?
Yes. Leave out the beef, add an extra potato and carrot, and cook the beans a little longer. Vegetable stock instead of water adds depth, and the coconut milk and thyme stay.
How long does red peas soup keep?
Refrigerated it keeps for 4 days, and it freezes well for up to 3 months. It thickens as it sits, so add a little water when reheating.
How long does it take to make Jamaican Red Peas Soup with Spinners?
About 3 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 2 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jamaican Red Peas Soup with Spinners?
About 580 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 580 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 880 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
