Red Beans & Rice

Today's Cajun comfort food of choice...Red Beans & Rice with Andouille Sausage. This traditional New Orleans meal was generally cooked on Mondays, and is still served in restaurants on Mondays. But why Monday, what made them so special? Because it was laundry day! First thing in the morning you would put on a big pot of beans, let them cook low and slow, and after a long tiring, laundering day; dinner would be ready. 

This is such a versatile and tasty comfort dish that everyone can enjoy. It can easily be made vegetarian/vegan by omitting the sausage and adding 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.

This recipe takes much less time to prepare without sacrificing flavor, and it doesn't come with a side of laundry!

Red Beans & Rice By Cooking for Kishore

Ingredients

• 1 14oz can of Red Kidney Beans
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 8oz Chicken Andouille Sausage, cooked & cut into coins
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 bunch parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper, ground
• Hot Cooked White Rice
• Olive oil
• *Vegetarian/ vegan - omit the sausage and add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the beans.*

Instructions

1. Heat the Olive Oil in a medium size pot, then add onions and celery.
2. After onions and celery have cooked and become soft, add the sausage and heat through till fragrant.
3. Add the Kidney Beans with liquid, bay leaf, garlic, and half of the parsley. Add salt and pepper and cook with the lid on for 30 minutes on medium heat.
4. When beans have turned creamy colored, add the rest of the parsley and adjust salt for taste. Serve over hot rice with your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 5 mins.

Cook time: 40 mins.
Total time: 45 mins.
Tags: cajun recipe, red beans and rice, new orleans food, new orleans recipes, red beans and rice recipe