Pigeon Peas

Ingredients

 * 1 cup dried pigeon peas
 * sprig fresh, thyme
 * 4 cups fresh water
 * 2 tbsp butter
 * 2 cloves garlic, minced
 * 1 cup rice
 * 1 medium onion, minced
 * salt and pepper

Directions

 * 1) Soak pigeon peas overnight in water.
 * 2) Drain them well and place peas in a heavy kettle.
 * 3) Add water, garlic, onion, thyme, butter, salt and pepper.
 * 4) Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about one-half hour.
 * 5) Add this to rice (if fresh peas are used, add one-half pound of them to the kettle when you add the rice).
 * 6) There should be about two and one-half cups liquid with the peas and rice.
 * 7) Simmer the combined ingredients for about twenty minutes, until rice is fluffy and the water is absorbed.
 * 8) This dish may be served either hot or cold.