My friend is married to a Jamaican and they have a take-out/catering business, so this recipe IS authentic!
I cut the recipe she gave me in half, but have not cooked this actual recipe myself yet. I have eaten it and it is really good!
LENAE’S RICE AND PEAS
5 ½ cups water
3 ½ cups rice
1 can red kidney beans, not drained
½ can coconut milk
2 tsp. salt
1 heaping Tbsp. ground allspice
1 ½ heaping Tbsp. sugar
1/2 handful of fresh thyme, whole, not chopped - remove before serving
1 whole scallion, chopped
1 Scotch bonnet pepper (optional) (leave whole and remove before serving)
Put all ingredients except rice in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add rice, stir real well, reduce heat to simmer and cover. Cook for approximately 25 minutes.