Belizean Rice and Beans

Ingredients

 * 1 lb beans 450 g
 * ½ tsp pepper 2 ml
 * ½ tsp thyme 2 ml
 * 1 tsp salt 5 ml
 * 2 plugs garlic (crushed)
 * 1 medium onion (sliced)
 * 1 dried coconut (grated) (to give 1 cup milk)
 * 2 lbs rice 900 g
 * 1 small pig's tail or salted beef (optional, trim fat) or bacon
 * 6 – 8 cups water

Directions

 * 1) Soak beans for 4 – 6 hours.
 * 2) Boil beans until tender with garlic, onion, and pig's tail (or use pressure cooker).
 * 3) Season beans with black pepper, thyme, and salt.
 * 4) Add coconut milk.
 * 5) Stir and taste.
 * 6) Let boil.
 * 7) Clean rice.
 * 8) Add clean rice to seasoned beans.
 * 9) Stir, then cover.
 * 10) Cook until water is absorb or rice is tender.
 * 11) If necessary, add more water gradually until rice is tender.