New Orleans is famous for many types of food. Red Beans & Rice isn’t one of them. But, they are everywhere in Louisiana for good reason. They are cheap, easy to prepare, and delicious. At about $1.50/serving they are a great way to stretch your food budget. The ingredients don’t sound exciting. Kidney beans cooked with a couple of common vegetables and spices with a little smoked meat. But, they demonstrate how great the classic Louisiana combination of onions, celery and green peppers with garlic, oregano, thyme, bay leaves and cayenne pepper are.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound kidney beans
• 1 pound smoked sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 1 green pepper
• 4 stalk celery
• 4 clove garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (or
more to taste.)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 teaspoon thyme
• 4 bay leaves
• vinegary hot sauce such as Crystal, to taste
• vinegar to taste (cider, malt or wine)
• black pepper freshly ground
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak Beans: Place beans in a large bowl and cover with 6 cups cold water. Add 2 tablespoons salt and stir until dissolved. Set aside at room temperature for 8 to 16 hours.
2. Heat a large Dutch over medium-high heat. Chop Ingredients. Slice smoked sausage into 1/8” thick slices. Stem and seed green pepper and finely chop green pepper, onion and celery stalks. Mince garlic.
4. Sauté sausage over medium high heat stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, celery, and green pepper. Season with salt and pepper, and cook stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened and are starting to brown around the edges, about 8 minutes.
6. Add garlic, cayene pepper, oregano, bay leaves, and a good dose of black pepper. Cook stirring until fragrant (30 seconds)
7. Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to the pot with enough water to cover the beans by a an inch. Bring to boil.
8. Reduce heat to low simmer and cover until the beans are tender 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water if it’s getting dry. Remove lid and continue to simmer until creamy and thick enough to eat with a fork.
9. Adjust seasoning. Add vinegary hot sauce, such as Crystal, or vinegar to brighten the flavor. Add smoked paprika or ancho chili powder to increase smokiness.
10. Serve with cooked rice or quinoa, topped with finely chopped green onion, and hot sauce. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Find more recipes from Steve at hurrayforfood.com
