Chickenpelau Recipes

CHICKEN PELAU

Steps:

• If using dried peas, soak them overnight in 3 cups of 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 color. Add the chicken and stir well to coat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in 2 cups of water, the coconut milk, bay leaf, Green Seasoning, parsley, thyme, carrots, and scallions. 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 flavor and color. 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.

CHICKEN PAELLA

Steps:

• In a large deep non-stick skillet, or a paella pan with cover, warm olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Add the chicken, and brown on all sides.
• Remove chicken; set aside.
• Add in the onion and garlic, saute until translucent.
• Stir in the rice, cook for 1 minute.
• Add in tomatoes, chicken broth, capers and the cayenne pepper.
• Press chicken pieces down into the liquid.
• Cover the pan, and bring the liquid to a slow simmer; reduce the heat to very low.
• Cook until the rice is tender (about 30-40 minutes).
• Top with olives and peas; stir very gently.
• Arrange the pepper strips on top of the paella.
• Cover the pan again, cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the peas are hot.

CHICKEN PELAU

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt. Add chicken and soak for 20 minutes. Rinse chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Discard vinegar, and set chicken aside.
• Heat the oil in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven. Add the onion and garlic; cook and stir until browned. Add the chicken pieces, and fry until browned all over, stirring constantly. Pour in the rice, and season with thyme and curry powder. Stir in the water.
• Cover, and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until rice is tender and has absorbed all of the liquid.

TRINIDAD PELAU

Steps:

• Cook sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until it begins to caramelize. Stir in the beef, and cook until well browned. Bring the water, coconut milk, rice, pigeon peas, and carrot to a simmer; cover and cook until rice is done, about 25 minutes. Stir in parsley to garnish.

CHICKEN PELAU

Steps:

• Rinse chicken and rub with lime.
• In a large bowl: add salt, black pepper, garlic, half of the brown sugar, and half of the worcestershire sauce to chicken, then set aside (the longer you let it sit, the better the flavor!).
• Heat oil in large deep pot. When hot, sprinkle in remaining brown sugar. Once sugar begins to bubble, add chicken and coat well until chicken is nicely browned.
• Add carrots, rice, hot pepper, water and coconut milk. Mix well. Cover tightly and cook on very low heat 30-45 mins until rice is almost fully cooked. Do not stir while cooking.
• Add pigeon peas and raisins. Continue cooking on low heat 10-15 mins until rice is fully cooked. Add additional worcestershire sauce to taste.
• VARIATION: pork or beef can be used instead of chicken.