Diri Kole ak Pwa

A staple of Haitian cuisine, diri kole ak pwa is a celebrated bean and rice dish that gets its complex flavor profile from epis, Haiti’s verdant, peppery green seasoning akin to sofrito. Chef Gregory Gourdet’s epis recipe makes more than you’ll need for this dish alone—keep any extra in a lidded container in the fridge and use it to season stews and marinate meats.
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What you’ll need
Food Processor
$70 At Amazon
Citrus Juicer
$15 At Amazon
Heatproof Measuring Cup
$26 At Amazon
Dutch Oven
$100 $80 At Amazon
Medium Pot with Lid
$160 At Amazon
Mesh Sieve
$15 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
8 Servings
Ingredients
Epis
Beans
Rice and assembly
Preparation
Epis
Step 1
Pulse bell pepper, onion, shallot, celery, scallion, chile, garlic, clove, cilantro, parsley, oil, thyme, vinegar, and lime juice in a food processor or blender until a chunky sauce forms. Transfer epis to a small bowl and set aside.
Do Ahead: Epis can be made 4 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
Beans
Step 2
Bring scallions, garlic, beans, salt, and 6 cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender and the skins peel away when you blow on them, 55–65 minutes. Discard scallions and garlic. Drain beans in a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl. Measure out 3 cups bean broth (add water if short). Set beans and broth aside.
Rice and assembly
Step 3
Rinse rice in a fine-mesh sieve under cold running water until water runs clear; drain well and set aside.
Step 4
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is light golden around the edges, 5–7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in thyme, pepper, and 2 Tbsp. reserved epis; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 5
Gently stir in reserved beans, then pour in reserved bean broth and bring to a boil. Stir in chile and reserved rice. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15–20 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let sit, still covered, 10 minutes.
Step 6
Uncover pot; remove and discard thyme. Fluff rice with a fork and divide among plates.