The Red Bell Food

THE RED BELL

Steps:

• Roughly chop the pepper. Muddle the peppers in a cocktail shaker until they begin to liquefy. Add in the basil and continue to muddle until you see juice from the peppers in the bottom of the shaker.
• Add the simple syrup, gin and lime juice. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously to chill. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses. Garnish each drink with mint leaves and serve.

RED RED

Steps:

• Add the black-eyed peas, 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt to a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer, adding 1 cup of water as needed as the water evaporates, until the beans are firm to the bite (not mushy), 40 to 45 minutes. Drain the water from the beans.
• Crush the garlic, tomatoes, red bell pepper and onion in a blender or food processor, about 30 seconds.
• Heat the palm oil in a medium pot over medium heat until the oil starts to smoke and tiny bubbles start to form in the oil. Add the tomato mixture and stir to combine. Lower the heat to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Season the mixture with the bouillon powder, curry powder and cayenne if using and stir to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the stew thickens and the beans are tender to the touch, about 25 minutes. Taste for salt and adjust if necessary.
• Serve the stew with a side of fried plantains or steamed white rice.