Jamaican Red Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
• 1 lb salted pig tail, cut into pieces
• 1/2 lb stewing beef, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 whole allspice berries
• 1 whole scotch bonnet chile
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 medium yam, peeled and cubed
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 green banana, peeled and sliced
• 8 cups water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• Pinch of salt

Before you cook

• Boil the salted pig tail in water for 5 minutes, then drain and rinse to remove excess salt.

Steps

1. Drain the soaked kidney beans and add them to a large pot with the pig tail and stewing beef.
2. Cover with the water and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam.
3. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, allspice, and scotch bonnet.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour until the beans are tender.
5. Remove the scotch bonnet if you want a milder soup.
6. Stir in the coconut milk and yam.
7. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the sweet potato and green banana.
8. Mix the flour, water, and a pinch of salt into a stiff dough for the dumplings.
9. Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them between your palms into thin spinners.
10. Drop the dumplings into the simmering soup.
11. Simmer for 15 more minutes until the dumplings and remaining vegetables are tender.
12. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.