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Black Mushroom Rice (Diri Djon Djon)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

  • 30 g dried djon djon (Haitian black mushrooms)
  • 750 ml (3 cups) water
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper (left whole, uncut)
  • 400 g (2 cups) long-grain rice, rinsed
  • 200 g (1 cup) small dried shrimp, soaked and drained (optional)
  • Salt, to taste

Method

  1. Soak the djon djon mushrooms in the water for 20 minutes, then simmer 15 minutes to extract their dark liquid and flavour.
  2. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing the mushrooms to extract maximum liquid and colour; discard the solids or reserve a few caps for garnish.
  3. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the dried shrimp if using, and cook 2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the rice, thyme, whole Scotch bonnet, and the reserved djon djon liquid, topping up with water if needed to reach the correct rice-to-liquid ratio.
  6. Season with salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove the whole pepper before serving. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm.

Introduction: Made with djon djon, small dried black mushrooms unique to Haiti, this striking dark rice dish is a point of national pride and often served at celebratory lunches and gatherings, prized for its deep earthy flavour and distinctive grey-black colour.

Cultural Background: Made with djon djon, small dried black mushrooms unique to Haiti, this striking dark rice dish is a point of national pride and often served at celebratory lunches and gatherings, prized for its deep earthy flavour and distinctive grey-black colour.

Tips: Keep the Scotch bonnet whole and unpierced so it perfumes the dish without adding excessive heat.

Variations: Fresh or canned pigeon peas can be added for 'diri djon djon ak pwa'. A vegetarian version simply omits the dried shrimp.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of water, or microwave covered until steaming.

Nutrition: Approx. 310 kcal, 8 g protein, 7 g fat, 54 g carbohydrate, 2 g fibre per serving.

FAQs:

Q: Where can I find djon djon mushrooms?

A: They are sold dried in Haitian and Caribbean grocery stores or online specialty retailers.

Q: Is there a substitute for djon djon?

A: There is no true substitute, as the mushroom is unique to Haiti, but dried shiitake can approximate the umami depth, though not the colour.

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