Red Beans and Rice

We had a surprise ice event earlier this week, and the weatherman is already predicting a few more snowstorms coming our way as early as next week.

February is definitely the time for snow in our area, although we've already had quite a few snows already this winter! Looks like our friend Punxsutawney Phil (if he can be encouraged to come out of his warm hidey hole, that is), is definitely going to be predicting MORE winter for us this year, I'm afraid.

But, I've got a really good recipe for you to try out during what is hopefully the last of these cold winter days. It is a simple stove top recipe for red beans and rice, and it's one that you might already have all of the ingredients for. (So, no need to run to the store if the weather is bad.)

Red Beans & Rice

1 bag dry kidney beans, sorted and rinsed

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 Tbsp minced garlic

2 stalks celery, chopped

6 cups water

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp dried sage

1 Tbsp dried parsley

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp salt

white rice, cooked according to package directions

1. Soak beans in a large pot of water for 8 hours or overnight.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3-4 minutes.
3. Rinse beans and transfer them to a large pot with 6 cups of water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. 
4. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves.
5. For last 1/2 hour of cooking, add salt to the pot and continue cooking. At this time, you can also  mash some of the beans against the side of the pot if you want a thicker sauce.
6. Prepare the rice during the last 1/2 hour of cooking according to package directions. 
7. Serve beans over prepared white rice.

Notes: 

This recipe is vegetarian, but if you'd like to serve it with meat, you can add 1 pound of andouille sausage to the beans (sliced) the last 1/2 hour of cooking. Or, you could also serve this recipe with ham.

As written, this recipe is not too spicy. Both my boys enjoyed it. If you like spicy food, you could either increase the amount of cayenne pepper, or add a dash of hot sauce to your serving.

Hope you enjoy!