America's Test Kitchen - How to Make Jamaican Stew Peas with Spinners | America's Test Kitchen (S24 E12)
The video provides a step-by-step guide to making Jamaican stew peas and spinners, a traditional dish. The recipe, created by Jamaican chef Dion Reid, uses small red beans instead of the traditional small red peas due to availability issues in the U.S. The beans are soaked and cooked with aromatics like onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in coconut oil. A flavor bundle with Scotch bonnet, thyme, allspice, and bay leaf is added for depth. Smoked ham hocks replace salted beef, adding rich flavor. Coconut milk is incorporated for creaminess, and the dish is finished with homemade dumplings called spinners. The stew is served with white rice, offering a creamy, spicy, and aromatic meal.
Key Points:
- Use small red beans as a substitute for small red peas.
- Incorporate a flavor bundle with Scotch bonnet, thyme, allspice, and bay leaf.
- Use smoked ham hocks for flavor instead of salted beef.
- Add coconut milk for creaminess and depth.
- Serve the stew with white rice for a complete meal.
Details:
1. 🌶️ Introduction to Jamaican Cuisine
- Jamaican cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, offering a wide variety of dishes that include jerked meats and pepper pot, which are central to its appeal.
- Jerked meats, a staple of the cuisine, are marinated with a blend of spices including scotch bonnet peppers and allspice, then cooked slowly over pimento wood, providing a smoky flavor.
- Pepper pot, another traditional dish, is a hearty stew made from callaloo, okra, and often salted meats, reflecting the influences of African and indigenous cooking techniques.
- The cuisine’s diversity is complemented by its comfort foods, which include dishes like rice and peas, providing a warm and inviting experience.
- Jamaican culinary practices are deeply rooted in the island's history, with influences from African, indigenous, Spanish, and British cuisines, creating a unique and rich culinary tapestry.
2. 👩🍳 Chef Dion Reid's Inspiration
- The recipe for stew pea and spinners was created by Dion Reid, a Jamaican chef and Cooks Illustrated contributing author.
- Chef Dion Reid grew up eating this recipe, which was traditionally made by her grandmother.
- Her grandmother's cooking played a significant role in shaping her culinary career, inspiring her to incorporate traditional flavors into her own creations.
- Chef Dion's journey from her grandmother's kitchen to becoming a contributing author highlights her commitment to preserving and innovating Jamaican cuisine.
3. 🫘 Preparing the Beans
- Small red peas are traditionally used, but small red beans are a suitable alternative in the U.S. due to their similar velvety texture.
- Use one pound (approximately two cups) of rinsed and picked beans.
- Soak the beans in six cups of water for a duration of eight to 24 hours.
4. 🍲 Cooking the Aromatics and Flavor Bundle
- Heat one tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil until shimmering on medium heat.
- Cook one chopped onion, one chopped bell pepper, and one celery rib (3/4 cup) until onions are soft (6-8 minutes).
- Add three tablespoons of minced garlic and two teaspoons of garlic powder for enhanced flavor.
- Season with half a teaspoon of salt and black pepper each.
- For added heat, use a pierced Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper.
- Create a flavor bundle with the Scotch bonnet for extra heat and fruity undertones.
5. 🥩 Adding Ham Hocks and Simmering
5.1. Preparation of Aromatics
5.2. Cooking Process
6. 🥥 Incorporating Coconut Milk and Preparing Spinners
6.1. 🥥 Cooking Beans with Coconut Milk
6.2. 🥣 Preparing Spinners
7. 🎣 Making the Dumplings (Spinners)
- Use half a cup of all-purpose flour with a fourth of a teaspoon of salt and three tablespoons of water to make the dough for spinners.
- If the dough is too dry, add up to two teaspoons of water, half a teaspoon at a time, to achieve the right consistency.
- Knead the dough until it forms a cohesive ball without over-kneading to maintain texture.
- Roll the dough into tapered dumplings about three inches long using a teaspoon measure; aim for approximately 16 dumplings.
- Spinners are named for their spinning motion during cooking, similar to a fishing spinner.
- After 30 minutes of cooking, carefully remove the flavor bundle and lightly squeeze to release Scotch bonnet juice, but be cautious with the amount to control heat.