red-pea-soup

Winter Best Food

Red Pea Soup

Called red peas in Jamaica, this ingredient connects this Jamaican soup with Africa's Caribbean diaspora.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried kidney beans, soaked overnight
  • 5 cups water
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
  • ½ cup finely chopped scallions (white and green parts)
  • ¼ cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 tablespoons minced sweet onion, such as Vidalia

Directions

  1. Drain beans. Place in a large pot along with water, broth, chicken, scallions, celery, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; boil for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. (Add water or broth if the soup seems too thick.)

  2. Season the soup with more pepper, if desired. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sweet onion.