Moksi Alesi (Surinamese Mixed Rice with Chicken and Salted Beef)
In short: One-pot rice cooked with chicken, salted beef, tomato, green beans and a whole hot pepper, the Surinamese dish whose name means mixed rice. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Moksi alesi means mixed rice in Sranan Tongo, and that is exactly what it is: rice cooked in one pot with whatever meat, fish or beans the cook wants to mix in. This version uses chicken and salted beef, which flavor the rice from the inside, plus tomato, onion, thyme and green beans. A whole hot pepper in the pot gives fruity heat without burning. It is everyday family food, served with a salad or simply with hot sauce.
Instructions
- Put the salted beef in a pot, cover with water and boil for 45 minutes, until nearly tender. Drain and taste a piece. If it is still very salty, boil it again in fresh water for 10 minutes.
- Season the chicken with the salt, pepper and the leaves from 1 thyme sprig.
- Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in two batches, about 4 minutes per side, and set it aside.
- In the same pot, cook the onion, garlic, bell pepper and celery for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more, until jammy.
- Stir in the rice for 1 minute. Add the chicken, salted beef, remaining thyme, whole hot pepper and the water, and bring to a boil.
- Cover, lower the heat as far as it will go and cook for 15 minutes. Scatter the beans on top, cover again and cook for 10 minutes more, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the pepper and thyme stems, fluff with a fork and serve hot with a salad or hot sauce.
Tips
- Salted beef (zoutvlees) is sold in Surinamese and Caribbean shops. If you cannot find it, use 150 g (5 oz) diced smoked sausage or bacon and skip the boiling step.
- For softer, richer rice, replace 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the water with coconut milk. A spoonful of dried shrimp stirred in with the tomatoes adds depth.
Questions and answers
Can I make moksi alesi ahead of time?
Yes. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days and reheat covered with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through.
Can moksi alesi be frozen?
Yes, in airtight portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water.
Is moksi alesi spicy?
Only mildly. The whole pepper adds fruity aroma, but if it bursts, lift it out at once or the rice turns very hot. Put hot sauce on the table for anyone who wants more.
How long does it take to make Moksi Alesi (Surinamese Mixed Rice with Chicken and Salted Beef)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Moksi Alesi (Surinamese Mixed Rice with Chicken and Salted Beef)?
About 480 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
