'Rice and Peas' is a mainstay of the
Jamaican diet and is traditionally, but not exclusively, eaten with the Sunday meal.
Rice and peas is made with rice and any locally available peas such as
red kidney beans,
gungo peas or
cowpeas and
coconut milk. The peas are put to boil with pimento seeds (
Allspice) and garlic until tender and the milk from the grated coconut is added. The rice is then added and cooked until tender. Other seasonings are added to taste, such as salt, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme and escallion. Variations of the recipe include the use of salted pork/beef instead of regular salt. This flavours the dish well and reduces the need for additional protein.
http://eatjamaican.com/recipes/riceandpeas-recipe.html
http://www.reggaetrain.com/islandrecipes.asp
Trivia: "Peas and rice!" is also used as a family-friendly alternative to blasphemy in certain films when shown during times where children are expected to be viewers, such as in 'Hot Fuzz'.