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Haitian black rice recipe with sweet peas
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Instant Pot Haitian Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon) Recipe

You’ll love this Haitian Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon) Recipe. It’s fluffy, delicious, full of flavor.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Caribbean, Haitian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 185kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven or Large Saucepan
  • Instant Pot Optional

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ Cups Jasmine Rice; Washed until the water runs clear
  • 4 Cups Dry Djon Djon
  • 1 Green Onion; Diced
  • Cup Yellow Onion; Diced
  • 2 Tbsp. Garlic Paste; or 6 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 PK Frozen Sweet Peas (14-ounce pack); Thawed
  • ½ Bell Pepper; Any Color (diced)
  • ¼ Cup Canola Oil
  • 8 Cups Water; Reserve 4 cups
  • 3-5 Thyme Sprigs
  • 2 Tbsp. Jacmel Seasoning Blend
  • 2 tsp. Saint-Marc Seasoning Blend
  • 1 ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Wine Vinegar

Instant Pot Method

  • 3 cups Jasmine Rice
  • 4 Maggi Cubes
  • 1 Medium yellow onion Diced
  • 3 Garlic cloves Minced
  • 2 cups Frozen green peas
  • ½ Red bell pepper strips
  • 2 tbsp. Peanut oil or olive oil
  • 3 cups Water
  • 2 Thyme sprigs

Instructions

Stovetop Cooking Method

  • Prepare all of the ingredients and set aside.
    Blend the djon djon with 4 cups of water. Strain it using a sieve until the liquid is no longer visible. Add 4 cups of water and continue to strain.
    Reserve 4 cups of the djon djon liquid to cook the rice. Store the remaining 4 cups in the freezer for later use.
    Over medium heat, heat the oil and saute the vegetables: peppers, onions, and garlic until fragrant.
    Haitian black rice recipe step-by-step photo guide
  • Add the washed rice and add the seasoning (Jacmel, Saint-Marc, and the salt. Stir well to combine. Then add the djon djon liquid.
    Next, add the thyme, stir well, and reduce the heat to medium-low.
    Adjust the seasoning if needed. Cover and allow the rice to cook until the water has evaporated.
    Add the sweet peas and mix well. Cover and allow the dish to come to temperature for about 5 minutes. Serve hot with your preferred protein.
    Haitian black rice recipe step-by-step photo guide

Instant Pot Method

  • Prepare all of the ingredients. Slice the red bell peppers, dice or chop the onions, mince the garlic, and open the Maggi.
    Sautee the onion and garlic for about 1 minute or until fragrant, then add the cubes. Dissolve the cubes completely by constantly stirring it.
    Meanwhile, as the cubes continue to dissolve, clean the rice in accordance with by rinsing it with water until the liquid runs clear.
    frozen peas and red bell peppers in Haitian black rice
  • Once the cubes are dissolved, add the rice. Stir to fully incorporate all of the ingredients.
    Add the water and thyme. Stir just a couple times.
    Cover the pot with the lid, turn the knob to sealing. Press the "Rice" button which will cook the rice for 12 minutes. 
    After 12 minutes, quick release, and add the frozen peas and red bell peppers. Stir it all together. But not too much. Just enough to mix everything. 
    diri dion Djon in blue bowl.

Video

Notes

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***Calories are estimated per serving***
  1. What kind of rice to use to prepare Haitian black rice: You may use jasmine or Basmati rice. For this recipe, Jasmine rice is used. Be mindful of the cooking instructions as the rice cooks differently. 
  2. Although 3 cubes are showing in the picture above, I used for 4 cubes in the recipe. Dissolve the cubes completely by constantly stirring it.
  3. Before adding the rice, read the instructions in the back to learn how to clean it.
  4. The peas will not bring down the temperature. I like to add the peas at the end as it helps the color to remain vibrant.

Nutrition

Serving: 8Servings | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 7mg