Red beans and rice is a classic Creole dish that originated in Louisiana. It is a hearty and flavorful dish made with red kidney beans, rice, and a variety of seasonings and spices. Here is a recipe for red beans and rice:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of dried red kidney beans
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 pound of smoked sausage or Andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the dried beans and soak them overnight in a large pot of water. Drain and rinse the beans the next day.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green pepper, celery, and minced garlic, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the smoked sausage, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper to the pot, and stir to combine.
- Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot, along with the bay leaf and enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the mixture has thickened.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve the red beans and sausage over cooked rice, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
Red beans and rice is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. You can also experiment with adding other ingredients such as diced tomatoes, ham, or shrimp to the mixture for a different twist. Enjoy!
