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What’s Cooking: Jamaican Rice and Peas

At one of my virtual cookouts, I was asked to provide my Jamaican rice and peas.  I have been using a variation of this recipe for years! So, here it is:

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried kidney beans—rinsed, soaked overnight and drained
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 5 allspice berries
  • 5 thyme sprigs
  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • One 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice

In a large saucepan, cover the beans with the water and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Stir in the onion, scallions, garlic, allspice, thyme, Scotch bonnet, ginger, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer over low heat until beans are tender, about 1 hour; adjust the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.

Stir in the rice, cover, and simmer over low heat until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steam for 10 minutes, then discard the thyme stems, allspice berries, and Scotch bonnet. Using a fork, fluff the rice and beans and season with salt. Serve hot.

If you need visuals, here is a video that is close to my recipe.

Shop Whyte Indigo on Etsy!

So, it looks like I won’t be doing any craft fairs or trade shows this year.  I had prepared A LOT of bags for the summer and early fall selling season that will now sit in storage until they are sold.

Luckily for you, I opened an Etsy store recently to help sell my bags!  I will continue to add new items, including handbags, tote bags, reusable shopping bags, cosmetic bags, coin purses, pouches, and even crochet roses, over the next few weeks.  Most of the bags there are made from recycled materials, meaning I might only have one or two bags made out of a specific material featured in my Etsy shop.  If you see something you like, get it soon because it might be a one of a kind!  Best of all, free shipping for all purchases $35 and over for U.S. shoppers.

etsy.com/shop/WhyteIndigo

I am also still doing custom bags, but there are some delays from the wholesalers I work with to get fabrics.  It might take a little longer to complete some projects.  I will not be taking any leather bag orders until further notice because it is hard to get that material right now from my dealers.

We are all doing our best under these challenging circumstances, but we will get through it!

“In Case The Apocalypse Happens” Shopping List

Growing up, my mother kept a pantry in the basement with extra non-perishable foods, medicine, water, and other supplies.  She said it was always a good idea to have some extra things in your home in case of any type of natural or manmade emergency.

I used to have an emergency pantry, but food would go to waste because I forget the expiration date and had to be thrown away.

But then the coronavirus happened, and I had to rethink starting up my pantry.  Mom is right; you never know when sh*t will go down and you have to be prepared.  When and if the coronavirus hysteria calms down, it is still a good idea to have a preparedness plan.  I found this video very useful, and I hope you do, too!

Banned Books Week 2019!

The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) promotes awareness of challenges to library materials and celebrates freedom of speech during Banned Books Week, which takes place this year September 22 – 28.  The ALA Office tracked 347 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2018. Of the 483 books challenged or banned in 2018, the Top 11 Most Challenged Books are:

  1. George by Alex Gino
    Reasons: banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning “dirty magazines,” describing male anatomy, “creating confusion,” and including a transgender character
  2. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
    Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints
  3. Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
    Reasons: series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for including a same-sex couple
  4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
    Reasons: banned and challenged because it was deemed “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references
  5. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
    Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes
  6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
    Reasons: banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide
  7. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
    Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations
  8. Skippyjon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
    Reason: challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture
  9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
    Reasons: banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint
  10. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
    Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
  11. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
    Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
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