Red Beans & Rice~The Basics

Red Beans & Rice

 

See my Video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IIeeaClj88

a Louisiana Monday tradition

 

1/2 lb dry red Kidney Beans
1 lb smoked sausage
1 onion, chopped
Cajun Season to taste (Slap Ya Mama is my favorite)
Cooked rice

*I normally put 1 bay leaf in my beans as they cook.

**Note: This is a very basic way of doing Red Beans & Rice. You can add many things to make this your own way. I have used chopped garlic, bell pepper, celery, chopped Jalapeno Peppers, etc

 

Red Beans & Rice is a South Louisiana Monday tradition. This started way back in the day when Monday was a weekly Washday & these beans could simmer all afternoon on the stove while the wash was being done (by hand) & served for supper. These days our wash is done by machine & Red Beans are served any day of the week for supper. Give these a try~it is very easy & ohh so delicious.

 

For a special treat, you can serve this as a side to Fried Chicken or Fried Pork Chops. But mostly, we eat this as our Main Dish for a meal.

 

Night before: Before going to bed, place dry Red Beans in a large bowl & cover with water to about 2-4" above the beans. Let soak.

The Next Day: Drain beans & rinse. Now you are ready to cook the beans.

 

1. In a 5-6 qt pot, brown sausage, until fats have rendered out of sausage.

 

2. Add onions to sausage & sweat down onions & brown.

 

3. Add beans & cover with water to above beans 2-4".

 

4. Bring to a boil, then simmer until beans are tender.  Mash a few beans to thicken the sauce. Then season to taste.

 

Serve over cooked rice.

Serves 4-6