Risi e Bisi

Ingredients

• 1  bay leaf 
• 0.5 pound maine crabmeat 
• 0.5 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh chopped
• 1.5 pounds ham hocks 
• 1 large jalapeño chile minced seeded
• 1 teaspoon juice of lemon fresh
• 1 tablespoon olive oil extra-virgin
• 1.5 cups peas frozen
• 7 ounces rice medium-grain
• 4 servings salt and pepper freshly ground
• 1  scallion thinly sliced
• 2 large shallots minced
• 6.5 cups water 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, cover the ham hocks with the water, add the bay leaf and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the hock meat is tender, about 1 hour.
2. Remove the hocks from the saucepan and skim any fat from the surface of the stock; keep the stock warm.
3. Remove the meat from the ham hocks; discard the skin, fat, tendons and bones.
4. Cut the meat into small dice; you should have about 3/4 cup.
5. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce-pan.
6. Add the shallots and jalapeo and cook over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
7. Add the rice and thyme and stir to coat the rice with the flavorings.
8. Pour in the ham stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice is just tender and the stew is somewhat soupy, about 15 minutes.
9. Add the peas, crabmeat, scallion, lemon juice and the reserved ham and simmer for 1 minute to heat through. Season with salt and pepper and serve at once.
10. Make Ahead: The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated for up to 2 days.