stew chicken - peppers and onions

Beyond the obvious - being united with our son / sharing Belize (a country Michelle was able to visit with her mother) with our children / experiencing Belize as a family ...

I am looking forward to the food. Stew chicken and beans and rice can be found in just about any home or restaurant  At Alfred's home the house mothers begin in the morning making the stew chicken and fresh bread. As the kids are walking home from school the perfectly timed routine takes place as the bread is pulled from the oven. Each day the kids enjoy a long lunch with the fresh rolls, beans and rice, and stew chicken. 

Michelle has made wonderful stew chicken before. I recently tried my hand using this recipe. I made two batches. One close to the recipe (I didn't have red recado) and one with some adjustments. On the second (adjusted) batch I cut the thyme, oregano, and bay leaf way down - using only 1/2 to 1 tablespoon each. The cumin I kept to around 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons. For each of the batches I substituted chicken rub for the red recado. I kept this at around 3 tablespoons.

The adjusted batched turned out pretty good.

Peppers and Onions!
Peppers and onions have been a constant in our refrigerator since being in Belize in 2010. I don't have an official recipe from Belize - only what I have come up with.

Start with 6 - 8 Habanero Peppers

Slice - you can trash the top little bit
Don't try to remove the seeds from the slices - use the seeds

Special note for contact wearers - under no circumstance should you touch the sliced pepper with your hands!!
Yes I learned this the hard way ... twice

One clove of garlic - grated or crushed
OR one tablespoon minced garlic

One medium / large onion - sliced

1/2 to 3/4 tablespoon of salt (yes I see that I have a full tablespoon in the picture)
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cup water

Combine all ingredients (a quart jar works well)

Mix together and let set for at least 30 minutes before serving

For those who like the hot stuff put both peppers and onions on your food.
For the wimpier mouths like mine - stick with just the onions.

Give these a try - experiment with the recipe. Once you find a combination you like you might find yourself putting peppers and onions on nearly everything.
Some of our favorites: pizza, eggs, tacos, fried rice, chili, burgers, hot dogs, salad, and stew chicken!

If you are going to go for the full meal of stew chicken with beans and rice be sure to pick up some plantains. You can make them sweet (use the black ones) or savory (use the green ones). A lot of times the plantains will have stickers on the peel describing how best to cook them.

Have Fun!