Sancoche

Ingredients

 * 1 lb salted pigtail, cut into 1.5 inch pieces
 * 1 lb stewing beef, cut into 1.5 inch pieces
 * 1/2 lb dried split peas
 * 2 large chopped onions
 * 2 stalks of celery, chopped
 * 2 sprigs of thyme
 * 3 cups coconut milk
 * Ground provisions, e.g. potatoes, cassava root, dasheen root, eddoes, yam - peeled and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
 * green figs ( green bananas ), peeled and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
 * 1 whole hot pepper
 * 2 pints of water
 * 1 cube beef bouillon
 * salt, black pepper to taste

Directions

 * 1) Parboil the pigtail pieces for about 15 minutes to get rid of the excess salt, otherwise your soup will turn out too salty
 * 2) In a large pot, place beef cubes and pigtail and cover with water
 * 3) Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and cook for 1 hour
 * 4) Add split peas, chopped onion, celery ,thyme, coconut milk, salt and black pepper, bouillon cube and continue to cook until split peas are dissolved
 * 5) Add all ground provisions and the whole hot pepper ( do not burst, or soup will taste too hot). Add enough water to cover ingredients and cook for another 30 mins. Prepare dumplings and add to souplast