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Trinidad Pelau Recipe

Trinidad pelau is a delicious dish made with caramelized chicken, pigeon peas, rice, and veggies that are cooked in coconut milk, broth and Caribbean seasonings. It has roots in Spanish, Creole and African cuisine.
Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: pelau, trinidad pelau
Servings: 6
Author: Ros

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade*

  • lbs chicken pieces (cleaned, cut up)
  • 3 tbsp Caribbean green seasoning (sauce made with culantro, cilantro, garlic, pepper)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • tbsp ginger (grated)
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp fine thyme

Pelau

  • 1 tbsp oil (I used coconut oil)
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • cups pigeon peas
  • cups carrots (chopped)
  • cups rice (parboiled)
  • cups coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp Caribbean green seasoning
  • 6 cups water or stock
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup cilantro (finely chopped)
  • ¼ cup chives (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

Marinate Chicken

  • Incorporate the marinade ingredients with the chicken.
  • Refrigerate for at least two hours (or overnight).

Cook Pelau

  • Wash, rinse and boil the pigeon peas until soft (this takes about 15 minutes).
  • Strain and set aside.
  • Place heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat.
  • Add oil and brown sugar.
  • Stir continuously so the sugar caramelizes evenly.
  • When the sugar turns very dark, add marinated chicken.
  • Mix well to coat, color and flavor the chicken in the caramelized sugar.
  • Cover pot to allow meat to release its natural liquid.
  • Cook until completely dry (about 15 minutes)
  • Mix in cooked pigeon peas, onions, carrots, rice, herbs, seasonings, salt and pepper.
  • Add water and coconut milk.
  • Cover completely and simmer on low heat.
  • Cook until rice is done and the liquid is absorbed (takes about 15 – 30 minutes).
  • Stir in cilantro, chives and butter.
  • Serve hot and store leftovers.

Notes

  • Marinade ingredients can also include soy sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, pimento pepper, parsley and other herbs.
  • Other veggies like pumpkin can also be added.