Red Beans and Rice

I got ideas from these sites: Authentic Louisian Red Beans and Rice, Emeril's Red Beans and Rice, and Simple Recipes Red Beans and Rice

Here is my usual recipe but it is all about what is on hand and what you like!

1 lb of red beans

1 large sweet onion diced

1 large red or green pepper diced

4 celery stalks diced

1/4 cup butter

4 cups of chicken broth

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp dried thyme

1 tbs smoked paprika (I didn't have any this time but if I did it would have gone in)

2 tbs chopped fresh parsley (only because I have it on hand)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

andouille sausage cut into bite size pieces ( I used 3 links, most recipes call for 1 lb)

smoked Tabasco to taste (chipotle) 

Cajun spices to taste  

2 cups of dry rice

Soak beans over night or use the quick soak method by bringing them to a boil in a pot of water for 3 minutes then turn off the heat and cover with a lid for an hour or two. 

Heat the butter on low heat and toss in the onion, red pepper, celery, and 1/2 the garlic. Cook until the onions start to caramelize. 

Add 3/4 of the seasonings, red beans, and broth. Cook at a simmer for like 2 or 3 hours. When it really starts to smell good add the andouille sausage (about 2.5 hours) and cook for another 30 minutes (total 3 hours). Add the rest of the seasons and garlic then let sit for a bit. Mash some of the beans with your spoon, or take some out and blend them to make it thicker without making a rue (save on calories)! If you blend take some of the beans out and cool them first. 

Cook rice and serve together. 

This is a pretty tasty yet some what bland on it's own. I make it that way for the kiddos. I like to splash it with Tabasco and my hubby adds Tabasco and Cajun spices. A good Cajun spice recipe here. I make it as is but I like smoked paprika instead of regular.  

The cajun spice that I make for my gumbo is good too.

Mix the following ingredients into a bowl

2 tblsp smoked paprika

1 tblsp garlic

1 tbls oregano

1 tbls thyme

1.5 tsp of cayenne pepper

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp white pepper

See the gumbo recipe here