Recipes for red beans and rice

Red beans and rice is a popular Cajun dish served throughout the southern United States, especially in Louisiana. The meal is traditionally prepared by using salt or pickled pork and baked ham though many variations of the recipe now exist. Red beans and rice recipes are included in this article.

Traditional red beans and rice recipe

Basic red beans and rice Ingredients - 4 cups of dried red kidney beans - 2 quarts of water - 1 pound salt pork or baked ham - 1 onion, chopped - 1 carrot, chopped - 1 bay leaf salt and pepper if desired (omit salt if using salt pork) - White rice, cooked Directions
Step one Soak the red kidney beans in cold water overnight. Step two Drain the red kidney beans. Heat them in water. Step three Add the salt pork or baked ham, onion, carrot, bay leaf and pepper to the beans. Step four Boil the mixture for two hours or until the beans are cooked and tender. Step five Mash the beans slightly. Pour this bean mixture over cooked white rice. Top with cooked meat and vegetables. It makes approximately four servings.

Red beans and rice variation

Easy red beans and rice Preparation/cook time: 40 minutes Ingredients - 2 bacon rashers - 2 cans of red kidney beans - 1 bell pepper chopped - 1/2 cup of celery, chopped - 1 onion, chopped - 1/2 cup of green onions, chopped - 1/2 lb of smoked sausage, thinly sliced - 1 can of tomato paste - 1 small jar pimientos - 1 tsp of chili powder - 2 tbsp of fresh parsley, chopped - 1 splash Worcestershire sauce (optional) Directions Step one Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towel and crumble. Step two Combine bacon and kidney beans in a bowl and set aside. Step three Add the bell pepper, celery, and onions to the pan and saute them in the bacon fat or in vegetable oil. Step four Add the kidney beans, smoked sausage, tomato paste, pimientos, chili powder, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer and cover for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Serve over rice. This recipe makes four servings. Variations This is an extremely versatile recipe. You can try substituting the ingredients to suit your taste and health requirements. Other types of red beans can be used in the place of the kidney beans and any type of smoked sausage can be used instead of ham or pork. Substitute turkey or chicken to reduce the fat content.