Caribbean Seasoned Rice

Ingredients

• 2  bay leaves 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1.5 cups butternut squash 
• 6  to 8 chicken thighs halved
• 1 tablespoon garlic chopped
• 8 servings salt and ground pepper fresh
• 3 cups rice long grain rinsed
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; peanut oil preferred 
• 1.5 cups peas frozen
• 0.3 cup scallions chopped
• 2 sprigs thyme leaves 
• 5 cups water 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan

Directions

1. Heat oil in saucepan until just smoking. Salt and pepper chicken pieces and brown both sides in single layers. When all the pieces are browned off, remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Drain oil from pan.
3. Add butter, onion, scallions, thyme, bay leaves, and saute for 4 minutes.
4. Add rice and saute for 4 to 5 minutes more, then add garlic, chicken, squash, peas and water. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover for 35 minutes.