Recipe: Stew Beans and White Rice (Belize style)

STEW BEANS AND WHITE RICE

BEANS:
1 cup beans
water
1 clove garlic
1 piece salt pork
1 cup coconut milk
1 onion, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
RICE:
2 cups rice, picked over and washed
4 cups water (or coconut milk)
2 tbsp margarine

TO PREPARE BEANS:
Soak beans in water to cover. Drain beans. Place in a pot, add garlic and cover with water. Boil until tender.

Boil salt pork in some water to take out some of the salt; drain. Add to the beans.

Add the coconut milk, onion, salt and pepper. Leave on low fire to simmer until liquid is thick.

TO PREPARE RICE:
In a separate saucepan, heat the four cups of liquid to a boil; add a little salt and the margarine and keep covered over low heat.

Add rice to this liquid, cover, and leave to cook about 20-25 minutes over very low heat.

TO SERVE:
Serve both together - the beans can be spread over the rice or put at the side of the plate as desired.