Red Beans and Rice

This recipe was originally posted by Damn Delicious. They cook great dishes if you haven’t checked them out.

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 1 hr

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 (12.8 oz) package smoked andouille sausage or kielbasa cut into thin slices.
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, salt-free
• 3 (15 oz) cans red beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package directions; set aside/
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large stockpot of Dutch oven over medium heat. Working in batches, add sausage, and cook, stirring frequently, until sausage is lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes; set aside.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato paste, garlic, Cajun seasoning until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Stir in red beans, chicken stock, hot sauce, bay leaf, and sausage; season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil; cover; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer until reduced, an additional 15 minutes.
6. Using a wooden spoon, mash beans against the side of the pot until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately, topped with rice and garnished with parsley if desired.

Tips & Tricks

• This recipe really is best with a long grain rice like basmati. Try not to substitute.
• Side dish suggestions: corn bread with a hot honey glaze (ex: Mike’s Hot Honey).