Thursday, June 7, 2012

Haitian Rice with Mushrooms-Diri Ak Djon-djon (Arroz Haitiano con hongos)

Diri Ak Djon-djon is a Haitian specialty that is served on special occasions in contrast to an everyday staple such as rice and beans. I was introduced to diri (rice)  ak (with) djon-djon (mushrooms) in Creole 21 years ago by my daughter's Haitian godmother, Rose-Marie, and since then I always look forward to the day she cooks it. Rose-Marie made this dish for the blog and now we will add a recipe category for international dishes.


Djon-djon is a mushroom found in the West Indies and former French colonies. It is said  that the French wanted to bring slaves with foods from their land in the belief that they would work harder and be more content with foods with which they were familiar. For this reason you don't find a recipe like this one in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico,Cuba or other islands that didn't have a French influence. You can find djon-djon in a Haitian or Jamaican store. 


The most interesting thing when making this recipe is that the dried mushrooms are the most important part but you don't cook them with the rice. You boil the dried mushrooms and then, after straining to get rid of dirt, you just use the liquid.




Ingredients:


2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound shrimp
2 cups dried djon-djon, 6 cups water to boil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups long grain rice to 4 cups water from boiling the mushrooms
2 cups green peas
1 teaspoon oregano (optional)
1 teaspoon thyme (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste


In a pot put the 2 cups djon-djon and 6 cups water and bring  to boil on a medium heat burner. Simmer and let it reduce for about 15 minutes. Let it rest and strain in a colander covered with paper towel a couple of times. Discard the mushrooms but reserve the water. After boiling with the mushrooms the water will be brown.


In another pot heat the olive oil, onion and garlic. When the onion is translucent, add the shrimp with its shell on to give flavor, and then add the rice, water and green peas. Bring to a boil,then reduce the heat to low and let it cook covered until the rice is done.


http://www.sams247.com/foods/DJON-DJON-MUSHROOMS-Dried-10-OZ.aspx




2 comments:

  1. Oh love this recipe. However I don't think it's oregano. I think the recipe calls for parsley!

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  2. Dana, you are absolutely right. Haitians use parsley instead of oregano, a haitian friend does both ways and we like it better with oregano. Thanks for pointing this out!

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