Red Beans and Rice Recipe

Growing up I never was one for beans, sure I loved green beans and Campbell’s bean with bacon soup. But as hard as my parents tried they never were able to get me to eat a meal that was comprised of beans. It took many years and the coaxing of a former co-worker to find a dish that I’d been missing out on. Red Beans and Rice when  made right is one of my favorite side dishes. I’ve had to find my own recipe because the other is a closely held family secret… or so he says.

A traditional southern recipe that is commonly served during Mardi Gras, Red Beans and Rice is a staple in many homes and there are many forms using different ingredients. Louisiana style uses Andouille sausage but that can be hard to find so using a good quality smoked sausage gives you a comparable taste.

I found this recipe on SouthernFood.com, it was less complicated than a lot of recipes I looked at yet it has the flavors I was looking for.

Red Beans and Rice

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Red Beans and Rice with a traditional southern flavor. Recipe from PocketChangeGourmet.com.

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

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• 1 pound dried red beans
• 1 1/2 pounds smoked sausage cut into chunks
• 1 ham hock (smoked)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sage
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt to taste
• freshly cooked white rice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Soak beans overnight in cold water.
2. Drain and put the beans in a large pot.
3. Add fresh water to cover, along with the sausage and ham, onion, garlic, thyme, pepper, sage, and cayenne.
4. Bring to boil over medium high heat.
5. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until beans are tender, adding more water if necessary to keep them from drying out. This will take 2 to 3 hours.
6. Add salt to taste.
7. Discard ham hocks.
8. Remove about 1/4 cup of beans from mixture and mash; return to pot and stir.
9. Simmer 15 more minutes.
10. Serve over hot buttered rice.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours

Do you celebrate Mardi Gras? What traditional Louisiana food do you enjoy?

Caroline Merida

In addition to being a skilled and passionate chef, Caroline is an awesome mother of two. In her spare time, Caroline pursues her passion for cooking by experimenting with new dishes and developing some of her very own. Her expertise and research are then condensed into comprehensive, easy-to-read guides and resources for readers who are looking for budget-friendly recipes for the whole family.