Belizean Dirty Rice Recipe

Belizean dirty rice

This delicious version of dirty rice came from a good friend who traveled to Belize. Last year, my friend Alecio went on a 3 month long adventure across Mexico and Belize.  In Belize, this dish was everywhere and he became hooked.  So, naturally, when he returned he began cooking it himself. I’ve made coconut rice before, and plenty of rice and bean dishes, but the dirty rice flavor is just so unique.

In my first attempt, the coconut rice was all wrong.  I always buy the low-fat coconut milk, and that was the problem. You have to be naughty and by the full-fat version – that is where the true coconut flavor is hiding.  It gives the rice a creamy texture with a subtle sweetness that you can taste on your lips.

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 can of organic coconut milk (should be a little less than two cups, so add water to make two cups total)
• 1 can of your favorite black beans
• Dash of salt
• *Optional -  Baked tofu (Trader Joe’s has a delicious selection of baked tofu that I love)

Directions

1. Pour coconut milk, water, rice and a dash of salt in large sauce pan and bring to a boil
2. Reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes until liquid is absorbed
3. Add black beans
4. *Optional – Toss with baked tofu cubes

Related: Caribbean Recipes, Latin American Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes