Belizean Rice And Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces dried red kidney beans
2 cups rice
1 cup thick coconut milk
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 garlic clove (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or a piece of salt pork)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Preparation

Cover beans in water, and soak overnight.
Put beans in pot; add onions, bell pepper, garlic, and enough water to boil until beans are tender and whole. Add coconut milk, and seasonings.
Add rice to beans, and cook over gentle heat until liquid is absorbed. Stir gently with a fork, and add a little water as necessary, until rice is cooked.