Authentic Jamaican Red Peas Soup with Salted Beef Recipe
Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef is a staple in Jamaican cuisine. This hearty and flavorful soup is packed with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re craving a comforting meal on a cold day or want to explore Caribbean flavors. This recipe will satisfy your taste buds. Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef is a delightful dish that encompasses the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Jamaica. This recipe allows you to recreate this traditional dish from the comfort of your kitchen. Tender salted beef, creamy red kidney beans, and flavorful vegetables make for a comforting and satisfying meal.
What is Jamaican Red Peas Soup
A Recipe Rooted in History
The history of Jamaican red pea soup with salted beef can be traced back to the days of slavery. When African culinary traditions blended with native ingredients and European influences. The dish’s core ingredients, red kidney beans (red peas) and salted beef have deep historical roots. African slaves brought with them the knowledge of cooking with beans, a staple ingredient in African cuisine. The availability of salted beef, a preserved meat widely used by European colonizers during their maritime voyages.
Culinary Crossroads: The Tastes of Africa and Europe
As Jamaican cuisine continued to evolve, the dish gained a unique blend of African and European flavors. The African influence is evident in the use of beans as a primary ingredient. As well as the addition of aromatic spices such as thyme and scotch bonnet peppers. The Europeans contributed their preservation techniques, which led to salted beef, bringing a savory and robust element to the soup.
Cultural Significance and Symbolism
Beyond its historical roots, Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef holds cultural significance and symbolism. In Jamaican culture, the dish is often associated with comfort, healing, and community. It is commonly prepared for family gatherings and celebrations and as a nourishing meal during times of illness. The act of sharing a pot of red pea soup with loved ones not only provides sustenance but also strengthens the bonds of family and community.
Evolution and Variations
Over the years, Jamaican red pea soup with salted beef has continued to evolve. Various additions and regional adaptations have contributed to the diversification of this classic dish. While the core ingredients remain the same, variations may include additional vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, and potatoes. Some versions incorporate other meats like pig’s tail or ham hock for added flavor and richness.
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Jamaican Red pea soup ingredients
- Red Kidney Beans
- Salted Beef
- Aromatics: Thyme, garlic, scallions, onion, pimento seed, scotch bonnet pepper.
- Ground Provision: Potatoes, yellow yam, chayote (Cho-Cho), cocoyam, turnip, carrots, corn.
- Seasoning: Salt, complete seasoning, adobo, black pepper.
- Flour: Dumpling
How to make Jamaican Red Pea Soup
Soak the Red Kidney Beans and Salted Beef:
- Rinse the red kidney beans and place them in a bowl. Cover with water and let them soak overnight. This will help soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
- In another bowl, soak the salted beef to remove excess salt. Cut the beef into small pieces for easier cooking.
Cook the Red Kidney Beans and Salted Beef:
- In a large pot, combine the soaked red kidney beans, salted beef pimento berries, garlic, scallions, and thyme.
- Fill the pot with water, covering the beans and beef completely.
- Bring the pot to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 1-2 hours or until the beans are soft and the beef is tender.
- While simmering, skim off any foam that rises to the top of the pot.
Add Vegetables and Seasoning:
- Add the diced yam, chocho, coco, turnip, boil until semi-soft
*. Then add the diced potatoes, corn, carrot, dumpling, and scotch bonnet pepper (if desired) to the pot. - Pour in the remaining water and bring the soup to a boil. Season the pot with salt, complete, and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving, as it can add intense spiciness. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper according to your preference.
Serve and Enjoy
- Ladle the Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef into bowls, making sure to include a generous amount of beans, beef, and vegetables in each serving.
Jamaican Red Peas Soup FAQs
What is in red pea soup?
Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef is more than just a delicious meal; it is a testament to the diverse cultural influences and historical roots of Jamaican cuisine. Peas Soup is a classic hearty soup that is eaten in Jamaica. It’s traditionally made with red kidney beans and salted meat such as (salt beef or pigtail) and with dumplings, corn, carrots, and jam-packed with ground provisions, such as coco yams and Chayote to name a few.
Are red peas kidney beans?
Many people think kidney beans and red beans are the same, but they are two different kinds of beans! Kidney beans are much larger than red beans. Kidney beans are a darker crimson while red beans are more pink.
Can you use canned kidney beans in Jamaican red pea soup?
If you are short on time then canned peas can be used, but for authenticity dry red kidney beans are best.
Can Jamaican red pea soup be vegetarian?
Short answer YES! Jamaican red peas soup can be vegan, just leave out the salt beef or pigtail.
Can you use a slow cook to make Jamaican red peas soup with salt beef?
When using salted meats like salt beef be sure to boil the meat to remove the excess salt before adding it to the slow cookers.
Why is my pea soup not creamy?
The peas only need to be cooked until they are tender. But if you like a smoother, creamier texture, use the back of a spoon and crush the peas.
How many calories are in Jamaican red pea soup?
Calories per serving of Jamaican Red Peas Soup 483.5
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.” Psalms 128:1-4 NKJV
Wisdom
As believers in this world we live in, only God matters. Fear Him and walk in His ways. He controls all things. Decides the length of our lives. He can add days and He can subtract days. All we have is time with each other. Why spend life apart from God? risking our lives being cut short? Living in this world with no blessings?
Working all the time, but never having the time to enjoy your labors? Having a wife who bears no fruit in your home, or even living to see your children’s children? But you will be blessed if you fear Him. You will enjoy the fruits of your labor. You will get a beautiful wife or husband and wonderful children.
A good wife and good children are blessings from God. Even being able to see your children’s children. Happiness, joyfulness, and faithfulness all come from Him. Once you fear Him, all these things will be added unto you. He promises long life here on earth, and eternal life in His kingdom for being obedient towards Him. Fear God, love Him and keep His commandments. It will be well with your soul.
Authentic Jamaican Red Peas Soup with Salted Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup red kidney beans also known as red peas, soaked overnight
- 1 lb salted beef soaked and cut into small pieces
- 1 pack Pumpkin noodle soup mix
- 4 Cloves of Garlic crushed
- ½ lb Yellow yam cubed
- 1 Chocho chayote, peal and cubed
- 2 Corn Cut into 5 pieces
- 3 Medium carrots peeled and diced
- 1 Medium Coco Yam peeled and diced
- 2 Small Turnips peeled and diced
- 2 Medium Potatoes peeled and diced
- 4 Cloves garlic crushed
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
- 2 Scallions chopped
- 5 Sprig of thyme
- 7 Pimento berries
- ½ tsp Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp complete seasoning to taste
- 7 cups Water add as needed
Dumpling Mix Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain flour
- 1/4 cup Water
Instructions
How to make the Dumplings
- In a medium bowl, add the flour and salt.
- Add the ¼ cup of water and mix to form a dough.
- Knead until the dough is smooth
- Grab a small (golf ball size) amount of the dough and roll it into the palm of your hands to create “spinners”. To make regular-shaped dumplings form the doughball into discs.
Soak the Red Kidney Beans and Salted Beef
- Rinse the red kidney beans and place them in a bowl. Cover with water and let them soak overnight. This will help soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
- In another bowl, soak the salted beef to remove excess salt. Cut the beef into small pieces for easier cooking.
Cook the Red Kidney Beans and Salted Beef
- In a large pot, combine the soaked red kidney beans, salted beef pimento berries, garlic, scallions, and thyme.
- Fill the pot with water, covering the beans and beef completely.
- Bring the pot to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 1-2 hours or until the beans are soft and the beef is tender.
- While simmering, skim off any foam that rises to the top of the pot.
Add Vegetables and Seasoning
- Add the diced yam, chocho, coco, turnip, boil until semi-soft
- Then add the diced potatoes, corn, carrot, dumpling, and scotch bonnet pepper (if desired) to the pot.
- Pour in the remaining water and bring the soup to a boil. Season the pot with salt, complete, and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving, as it can add intense spiciness. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper according to your preference.
Serve and Enjoy
- Ladle the Jamaican red peas soup with salted beef into bowls, making sure to include a generous amount of beans, beef, and vegetables in each serving.
- Pair the soup with traditional Jamaican hard dough bread or serve it over white rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Serve hot and enjoy the authentic flavors of Jamaican cuisine.
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