Stir It Up! (little darlins)

Today, the first graders at Grandin Court Elementary School made food from the Caribbean!

“Beans and Rice” are a staple dish in much of the Caribbean. The beans and rice are cooked together with different seasonings ranging from coconut milk to hot pepper but they are always served together. Together, beans and rice provide a complete protein.

The Caribbean is a series of more than 7,000 islands that are spread out from the south of Florida to the north of South America. The climate is tropical (consistent high temperatures, high humidity, heavy rainfall) and produces a lot of fruits such as mango, papaya, coconuts, bananas, and pineapple. (Food is Elementary, 2001 – Dr. Antonia Demas)

We made Red Caroltta Beans and Rice and served it with pineapple, papaya and mango, Every child and adult in the room loved it!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
4 cups red beans (2 can)
2 cups brown rice
1 T oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 small chili pepper
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tsp – 1 TBS cumin
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper


Directions:
Saute the onion, green pepper and garlic in the oil.
Add the beans, tomatoes, pepper, and chili pepper.
Simmer until thoroughly heated and thick.
Cook the rice separately in boiling water until rice is fully hydrated.
Serve by placing rice on a platter and top with the beans.
Serve with tropical fruit on the side!