Red beans and ricely yours, Louis Armstrong
New Orleans beans and rice:
- 2 c dried red kidney beans, rinsed and picked over
- 1 Tbs vegetable oil
- 1 andouille sausage, sliced on the diagonal
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 4 spring onions, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp Creole Seasoning
- 1 tsp Tabasco sauce (or to taste)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 c each: chicken and beef broth
- 1 cup sweet peas (fresh or frozen)
- cooked white rice (2-3c will make 6 servings)
- Soak the beans overnight in water plus 2″, OR if you forgot, add them to a pot, cover with water, boil for 1 minute, remove from heat, cover and let soak for 1 hour. Drain before using (for either method). The other option is 2 cans of beans, but that’s not as good for you.
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil over med heat and saute the sausage until browned, approx 10 min. Transfer to a plate. Pour off the fat from the pan less 1 Tbs. Use that to saute the vegetables.
- Add the spices, beans and cooked sausage to the pot and cover with the broth. Bring to a boil and skim of any foam from the surface. Cover and simmer on low until the beans are tender, approx 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in the peas 5 minutes before serving.
- Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the seasoning to taste. Serve over rice.
Slow Cooker alternative for steps 2 and 3:
2. Saute the sausage until browned, approx 10 min. Transfer to a plate. Pour off the fat from the pan less 1 Tbs. Use that to saute the vegetables.
3. In a slow cooker, add the spices, beans and cooked sausage to the pot and cover with the broth. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in the peas 5 minutes before serving.
Bonnie was really impressed by the flavour. This dish is easy to make and if you are unfamiliar with andouille sausage, which is pork based and smoked, try instead a lean turkey kielbasa.
If the stew seems to have to much liquid, remove 1 c beans, mash them and return them to the pot. This will thicken it up nicely. To make it vegetarian, remove the sausage, use veggie broth and add in diced tomatoes.
