Pigeon Peas & Rice Salad

Ingredients

200 gr pigeon peas
2 garlic
5 sprigs of thyme
3 gr sea salt
180 gr brown rice
1 celery stalk
1 pepper
4 green onions
160 gr tomato
60 ml lemon juice
60 ml olive oil
5 ml honey
1 gr salt
1 gr black pepper
4 gr thyme
1 caribbean spice blend

Instructions

* A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, yellow mustard, paprika, cumin and crushed bay leaf may be used in place of purchased Caribbean spice blend. Pick over and rinse peas well. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring peas, 3 cups water, garlic and thyme sprigs to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45 minutes, adding half teaspoon salt towards the very end of cooking time. Drain peas and remove thyme and garlic. Refrigerate until well chilled. Meanwhile, cook rice in a saucepan containing 3 cups of boiling water and half teaspoon salt. Reduce heat, cover, and let cook for 45 minutes or until water is absorbed. Let rice cool. In a large bowl, gently mix together chilled peas, cooled rice, celery, red pepper, green onions and tomato. In a container with a tight-fitting lid, place lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, thyme and Caribbean spice blend; shake well. Pour dressing over salad, tossing gently to coat. Chill salad until ready to serve.