Each time I go to the Caribbean, I feel like I’m in food heaven.
As part of their latest campaign, "New Year's Revolution", Tefal challenged me to use the ActiFry to create something delicious and healthy with a little taste of the Caribbean.
If you're not already familiar with the ActiFry, it's an iconic kitchen appliance sometimes called an "air fryer". It works using hot air and a stirring paddle, meaning you can cook up a big batch of tasty, crispy, evenly cooked chips with just one small spoonful of oil.
But it can also be used to make all sorts of other meals, from meatballs to stir-frys, to cakes (check out my blueberry cake to see how well it works!)
So, with Caribbean flavours on my mind, I grabbed my trusty jar of jerk seasoning marinade from the fridge and got to work on a simple side dish that takes minimal active prep and is packed with beans, lentils and peas that you’ll often find in Caribbean cuisine.
I must stress, this fiery lentils and beans recipe isn’t an authentic Caribbean dish, rather a homage to those wonderful flavours and a way to experience a new dish outside of your normal homecooking.
So, if you tend to stick to only enjoy Caribbean food when out to eat, or even if the only beans you usually to cook with are the ones that you put on toast, and then this is a great way to shake things up!
You might not have heard of some of the pulses we're using, but don't worry, they're all easily found in the World Food's aisle - look for the Caribbean section.
So, let’s plug in the Actifry and make some hot hot hot lentils, beans and peas in jerk marinade.
Here's the full recipe for this fiery lentils and beans dish.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (canola oil)
- 1 large (1) onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves (4) garlic minced
- 1 red or green chilli deseeded and finely chopped (leave out if you like it a little less fiery)
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning marinade paste
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 4 fresh tomatoes chopped
- 265 g (9.3 oz) green lentils 1 can
- 130 g (4.6 oz) canned red kidney beans ½ can
- 240 g (8.5 oz) canned black eye beans 1 can
- 240 g (8.5 oz) gungo peas (aka pigeon pea) 1 can
- 270 g (9.5 oz) green pigeon peas 1 can
- 700 ml (1.5 pint) vegetable stock hot
Instructions
Put the oil, onion, garlic, chilli and jerk marinade into the bowl of the Actifry and close the lid.

Set to manual mode, temp 220C/425F, set the timer to 10 minutes and press start.

Add the turmeric, tomatoes and all of the lentils, beans and peas, plus the freshly boiled water or stock and close the lid.

Set to manual mode, temp 220C/425F, set the timer to 20 minutes and press start.

Taste to determine if you'd like to add a little more moisture to the dish. If so, simply stir in a splash of freshly boiled water.
And that’s it. An amazingly satisfying, high protein and deliciously fiery side dish.
What did you think of this delicious Caribbean inspired dish?
Print this fiery beans and lentils recipe
Fiery Lentils and Beans - Actifry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (canola oil)
- 1 large (1) onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves (4) garlic minced
- 1 red or green chilli deseeded and finely chopped (leave out if you like it a little less fiery)
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning marinade paste
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 4 fresh tomatoes chopped
- 265 g (9.3 oz) green lentils 1 can
- 130 g (4.6 oz) canned red kidney beans ½ can
- 240 g (8.5 oz) canned black eye beans 1 can
- 240 g (8.5 oz) gungo peas (aka pigeon pea) 1 can
- 270 g (9.5 oz) green pigeon peas 1 can
- 700 ml (1.5 pint) vegetable stock hot
Instructions
- Put the oil, onion, garlic, chilli and jerk marinade into the bowl of the Actifry and close the lid.
- Set to manual mode, temp 220C/425F, set the timer to 10 minutes and press start.
- Add the turmeric, tomatoes and all of the lentils, beans and peas, plus the hot stock, and close the lid.
- Set to manual mode, temp 220C/425F, set the timer to 20 minutes and press start.
- Taste to determine if you'd like to add a little more moisture to the dish. If so, simply stir in a splash of freshly boiled water.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Actifry.
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Hilda Wright says
It looks really tasty with lots of flavour. I love spicy food! I also like that it is quick to prepare and full of lots of healthy ingredients!
Chris Muir says
Jerk flavours are one of my favourite. The recipe just feels like something perfect for a cold night in with the family. On my try list
Alice W says
It looks like a lovely and spicy dish.
terri kelly says
I love that its a healthy vegan recipe. My hubby would love this as he likes a bit of spice!
Alan Meatyard says
This looks like a straightforward recipe and an eye opener - it hadn't occurred to me that you can use an air fryer for methods other than frying.
Joanne Cherry says
We try to eat meat free as much as possible for the money saving and health benefits, but we find many recipes use the same spices to flavour the food. This recipe sounds very different from anythiing we have tried before and I will be giving it a go.
Phil Darling says
I like the hint of chilli - I like it spicy
Lisa Everaert says
For me, without a shadow of any doubt it has to be the taste. I took the time tonight to prepare this for the family and with the exception of 1 (fussyish eater) it was very well recieved. Lovely recipe and easy to follow providing you have all the ingredients to hand so make sure to check list before beginning x
Lyn Burgess says
I love the combination of pulses and beans. The fact that they are storyboard staples makes the recipe really convenient
Jo Bryan says
I like gungoo peas, I use them a lot but never thought to use them in a mixed pulses meal. I will definitely be trying this. Thanks.