Moksi Alesi: A Delicious One-Pot Rice Dish from Suriname

Moksi Alesi is a traditional Surinamese dish that dates back to the Dutch colony of Suriname. Originally an easy-to-go food among enslaved people, it has now become popular not only in the entire Caribbean region but also worldwide. Rich in protein and healthy food, Moksi Alesi is a solution for leftovers.

Let us learn how to prepare this tasty and healthy food, whether for breakfast or as a lunch for the guests.

Moksi Alesi: The History and Cultural Significance of This Iconic Dish

Suriname, a smaller independent country in South America, is famous for its significant culinary dish, Moksi Alesi. This dish is considered necessary in Suriname as it reflects the history of its multi-ethnic culture due to the influx of Dutch, Javanese, Indian, and African influences and the nation's fusion culture.

Moki Alesi is a dish that can be traced back to the days of slavery in Suriname. It is inspired by an African dish of beans, rice, and chicken. The interesting history behind Moki Alesi is that enslaves created food using leftover meat, dried fish, beans, and vegetables like white cabbage, red onions, and sliced cucumber. With rice as a base, they added anything leftover they wanted.

The Art of Making Authentic Moksi Alesi: Recipes and Techniques

Preparation of every culinary item is itself an art. Moksi Alesi, a form of mixed rice in the Surinamese language, has gone down the line to have multiple variations. However, the most popular form of Moksi Alesi is made with basic ingredients such as rice, chicken, and vegetables. Star anise is also used as an extra secret ingredient besides the common ingredients to make it taste heavenly.

List of Ingredients for the Authentic Caribbean Recipe of Moksi Alesi

Let us learn about the essential ingredients used to make authentic Moksi Alesi.

1. 1 cup long grain rice can be Jasmine rice, Basmati rice or parboiled brown rice.
2. 1 onion chopped.
3. 2 cloves or three pieces of garlic thinly sliced.
4. 200 grams of salt meat—beef, pork, ham, or chicken breast (white meat or dark meat).
5. 1 small tomato, chopped.
6. 1 tablespoon black pepper.
7. 1 pinch of nutmeg.
8. 1 fresh hot pepper.
9. 1 tablespoon of tomato paste or ketchup.
10. 1/2 to 1 packet of masoesa or passion food powder
11. Some sliced ​​pointed cabbage (Optional).
12. 3-4 chicken stock cubes.
13. A few tablespoons of oil.
14. 1 tablespoon of butter.
15. 1 can of coconut milk or coconut cream. (It is optional.)
16. 2 tablespoons dried shrimp (soaked and it is optional).
17. Spicy chilli peppers and salt are needed, especially if one uses Surinamese pepper (Not to forget).
18. Hot pepper tomato paste-nut ketchup.
19. 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper habanero.

Recipe and Instructions

1. Wash the cooking rice, which can be any long-grain rice.
2. Cut leftover or fresh chicken or meat into pieces. One can use either skinless chicken breast pieces, skinless chicken thighs or even chicken wings.
3. Boil the salt meat, chicken stock cubes, or chicken pieces in water until tender that is, until they become soft.
4. Season the chicken with the ground star anise, black pepper, or Surinamese pepper.
5. Strain the fish and keep aside the cooking liquid.
6. When the fish is cool enough to handle, flake the fish by hand.
7. One should heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or similar pot.
8. Add chicken and ham.
9. Cook for about five minutes, until the meat is golden brown.
10. If one wants to use coconut milk or coconut cream, one should add it now.
11. Add onion, cloves of garlic, Scotch Bonnet Pepper and bell pepper.
12. Saute until vegetables soften.
13. Add tomato, spinach, cabbage, green peas and black-eyed peas.
14. Cook for about five minutes until the cabbage has softened.
15. Add cooked salt cod and 2 cups water or chicken broth. Also, add the secret ingredient, star anise.
16. Then, boil all the ingredients.
17. Add rice and reduce to a medium-high heat.
18. Cover the cooked rice and add extra salt if needed. Cook on a medium simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is thoroughly cooked.

Finally, this typical rice dish, which is part of Suriname tradition, is ready.

How to Cook Moksi Alesi Easily? Knowing The Tips and Tricks

Well, this Surinamese-style breakfast rice can be eaten by anyone, and leftover meat, chicken stock powder, pepper tomato paste, ketchup, or coconut cream is not necessary, for instance. There are many varieties of this rice recipe that can be incorporated to make Moksi Alesi quite easily.

Let us also know two recipes that are the quickest way to prepare this Moksi Alesi.

Recipe One

A handful of small dried shrimp should be soaked in a bowl of water for about five minutes. Then, slice some onions, garlic, chillies, tomatoes, or whatever is available. Toss the onions first, followed by the rest of the vegetables after five minutes. Cook for another five minutes and add a thumb-sized Laos and salam leaves.

Allow it to cook for another five minutes, then add the shrimp, one tablespoon of tomato paste, and one tablespoon of sugar. Let everything cook for ten minutes. Check to see if the taste is proportionate enough, and then turn off the heat.

Recipe Two

Heat the oil and fry the onions first, then add the garlic. Add the tomato, black pepper, bouillon cubes, soaked shrimp, ham, black-eyed peas, and celery. Stir until the tomato is almost mixed. Then, add the rice and coconut cream.

Add water to the rice mixture and stir thoroughly. Lower the heat when the water starts to cook. Stir again, put a lid on the pot, and let it cook for about ten to fifteen minutes. After a while, sit again for half an hour after the rice starts to cook. Then, Moksi Alesi is finally prepared to be served.

Conclusion

Though Moksi Alesi is a traditional Surinamese dish, it is now so popular that it is used everywhere around the globe. Many people struggle to think of alternative recipes for leftover foods, such as rice or chicken. Moksi Alesi solves this problem by combining both to give a sumptuous meal.

The most important feature is its versatility. Leftover rice can be combined with fish, shrimp, or even vegetables like beans. So, learn the super-friendly recipe and surprise your guests with this unique and delicious one-pot chicken rice meal.

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