Trini Pelau- summer chicken with rice IN ONE BOWL
Trini Pelau or Trinidad pelau is the name for a dish with chicken and rice and an abundance of vegetables characteristic of Trinidad and the surrounding islands. This heat in the city makes me fantasize about islands, beaches, and different - more island tastes, which brings me to this recipe which is by all means an escape to the tropical islands. Lots of seasonal vegetables, full of colors, flavors and divine aromas. Mostly, EVERYTHING IS MADE IN THE SAME DISH. That's an automatic plus for me. The flavors are completely different from what you’re used to, but if you’re a little bolder and give it a try, I’m sure this will fit into your top summer dish, as it became mine after the first tasting.
Preparation steps
- Cut the chicken into smaller pieces, dry with paper, and season with the listed dry spices.
- Add the juice of one lime to the chicken, and onions, peppers, and tomatoes cut into smaller pieces. Cover everything and leave to marinate for 2 hours until overnight.
- Once the chicken is marinated, remove from the refrigerator to room temperature while preparing the pan over medium heat.
- In a pan let the sugar dissolve (yes sugar, believe me) and when it has caramelized, coat the chicken with the vegetables in the caramelized sugar. After a few minutes of mixing, when the chicken has picked up a nice crust, add a little more oil as needed and if you have frozen peas add it now, if you have canned - towards the end of cooking.
- At this point, add extra pepper and salt, add rice, stir and let it simmer. Rice will pick up all the flavors of vegetables and meat here.
- When the rice has glazed pour a can of coconut milk. For me personally, the ideal combination between creamy and water, there is no fat from cooking cream and yet it is not just water or foundation. And for all of you who care, there is no coconut flavor. At least not in that sweet sense, it simply gives the necessary silky texture and connection to everything, and a balance of lime acidity and hot peppers.
- Stir constantly until the rice is done, if a little water needs to be added, and when it is almost let it all together for ten minutes.