whenever i go home to dominican republic my mom asks me what do i want her to cook for me to welcome me back. without a doubt i say: sweet plantains, dominican potato salad, tipile (bulgur wheat salad) and moro rice with peas and coconut. moro rice with peas and coconut has to be my favorite type of rice.  i make it whenever i get a chance. the great thing about this rice is that, not only is it delicious but it is also really quick to make. i made this batch the other day as i was running off to work and decided i would share it with you. here is the recipe for moro rice with peas and coconut!

INGREDIENTS:
1 green cubanelle pepper 
1/2 large or 1 medium white onion
1 garlic clove
3-5 sprigs of parsley
1 can coconut milk
1 heaping tablespoon of tomato paste
2 cups of rice
1 can of peas
1/4 cup of coconut flakes
about a 1/8 tsp of salt 

INSTRUCTIONS:
chop up the pepper, parsley and onion.  

crush the garlic clove with the salt. 

bring the coconut milk to boil in a large pot. 

add the pepper, onion, parsley and garlic.

and mix in the tomato paste. 

mix in the tomato paste well to make until you have a pink coconut milk mixture. 

add a cup of water and bring the milk to boil again. 

and add the rice, coconut flakes and peas. 

cook uncovered on medium-high heat until the water evaporates. 

once the water dries out cook covered on medium heat turning once in a while to prevent it from burning on the bottom and make sure the rice cooks evenly. 

cook until the rice is tender. rice should not be crispy when you taste it.

and that’s it. that is all you need to make some awesome moro rice! 

thanks for stopping by, hope you try making this at home!

hasta luego,

ps. i will be going to the 5th annual martha’s vineyard food and wine festival this weekend! i leave saturday morning and i am so excited!  i will get to meet nelly and brian and a bunch of other great people in person. follow my twitter for up to the minute tweets throughout the weekend and make sure to stop by on monday to read my warp up/follow up post from the festival. have an awesome weekend!

xo,
j