Ochro Rice

Ingredients

 * 1 cup rice ( washed )
 * salt to taste
 * 1 small bouillon cube
 * about 8-10 ochroes, washed and cut into rings
 * 1 onion, cut up small
 * 2 garlic cloves
 * 1/lb salted pigtail ( substitute ham )
 * margarine or butter ( about 3 tablespoons )
 * a green hot pepper
 * a little coconut powder ( Maggi product) or coconut cream
 * water ( optional )

Directions

 * 1) Clean ochroes and cut across into rings; cut up onion, mince garlic cloves
 * 2) Boil salted pigtail until soft, drain, cut up ( optional )
 * 3) Wash rice, set aside
 * 4) In a heavy bottom pot with tight fitting cover melt the butter, but don't let it get brown
 * 5) Add the cleaned ochroes, onion, garlic and sauté for a few minutes - add salted cooked pigtail or ham
 * 6) Add cleaned rice and the bouillon cube and water to cover rice
 * 7) Float hot pepper on top of rice, don't let it burst or rice dish will be too hot, and let the rice come to the boil
 * 8) Reduce heat to very low, cover pot tightly and simmer for about 20 mins or until all water has evaporated and the rice is soft. Take out hot pepper
 * 9) Fluff rice, add a little butter if needed and the coconut cream