**Red Beans and Rice: A Flavorful Journey to Southern Comfort Food**
In the heart of Louisiana, where flavors dance and traditions intertwine, lies a culinary gem that embodies the spirit of Southern comfort food: red beans and rice. This classic dish, often served on Mondays, is a symphony of textures and tastes, a harmonious blend of savory red beans, aromatic rice, and a medley of vegetables, all simmering in a rich, soulful broth. With its humble origins in African American communities, red beans and rice has transcended cultural boundaries, becoming a beloved staple in homes across the region and beyond. This article presents a collection of enticing recipes that capture the essence of this iconic dish, offering variations that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. From traditional recipes that honor the heritage of red beans and rice to modern interpretations that add a contemporary twist, this culinary exploration promises to satisfy every palate. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you through the steps of creating this comforting and flavorful dish that has captivated hearts and taste buds for generations.
AUTHENTIC LOUISIANA RED BEANS AND RICE
Authentic Cajun flavor! I grew up in Louisiana and love red beans and rice; these are just like I remember. Serve with Tabasco sauce for a little kick. My family loved to splash a little cider vinegar in each bowl.
Provided by MIAMI BEACH
Categories Main Dish Recipes Rice Beans and Rice Recipes
Time 11h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. 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 hours.
- Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 630.4 calories, Carbohydrate 79.1 g, Cholesterol 32.9 mg, Fat 24.2 g, Fiber 10.1 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 603.9 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
AWESOME RED BEANS AND RICE
Make and share this Awesome Red Beans and Rice recipe from Food.com.
Provided by lolablitz
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 4h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Soak kidney beans overnight OR rinse beans and add to pot, cover with 8 cups water and bring to boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then turn off heat and let sit, covered for one hour.
- Pour out water and add 8 cups fresh water.
- Chop onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic.
- Add to beans.
- Add salt, pepper, thyme, seasoned salt, and Creole seasoning.
- Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. When you stir, be sure to mash the beans against the sides of the pot. This creates a creamier texture.
- Slice the sausage into 1/4 inch pieces and add to beans. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve Red Beans over hot, steaming rice. Serve Jiffy cornbread on side (add 1 stick of butter and an extra egg to the recipe
- for some kick-ass cornbread!).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 347, Fat 21.9, SaturatedFat 7.2, Cholesterol 46.3, Sodium 1048.7, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 2.7, Protein 16.3
CLASSIC RED BEANS N RICE
After 25 years in a place where Cajun cooking is common, we've come to rely on this staple menu item. If you've never tried red beans and rice before, I promise you'll like this recipe.-Jackie Turnage, New Iberia, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 2h35m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place beans in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand until beans are softened, 1-4 hours., Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Return to Dutch oven. Add the water, ham hock, bay leaves and onion powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour., In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook the beef, onion, salt and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add to bean mixture. Simmer, uncovered, 1 hour. Discard bay leaves., Remove ham hock; allow to cool. Remove meat from bone; discard bone. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces and return to broth. Heat through. Serve with rice and, if desired, top with chopped fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 346mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
THE VERY BEST RED BEANS AND RICE
After trying many red beans and rice recipes, I've settled on this one. It's one of the best, in my humble opinion, although I am sure it's not super authentic since I use bacon instead of tasso or ham hocks. It's loosely adapted from Emeril's Red Beans and Rice (the non "New Orleans style" recipe) on foodnetwork.com. The original, more authentic recipe can be found here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/red-beans-and-rice-recipe2/index.html
Provided by sbjanda
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 3h
Yield 1 large pot, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cover the beans with ample water and soak overnight. Rinse beans and set aside.
- In a large pot, cook the bacon until done. Remove the bacon slices and set aside to cool. Reserve the bacon grease for the next step.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add yellow onions, celery and green bell peppers. Season with the pepper and cayenne and cook until vegetables start to become translucent, about 5 minutes,.
- Add the bay leaves, parsley and thyme. If you are using fresh andouille, add now and brown (about 4 more minutes). If using smoked (pre-cooked) sausage, wait until step 7.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add water/stock, beans, and reserved bacon (chopped) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally 1 and a half hours. (Should the beans become too thick and dry, add more water, about 1/4 cup at a time.).
- Add smoked sausage (if not already added in step 3). Adding this later, keeps it from overcooking and getting too tough. Cook another 30 minutes or until beans become tender and start to thicken.
- Remove from the heat and with the back of a heavy spoon, mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the pot. Cook until the beans are tender and creamy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add vinegar and stir. Add salt to taste.
- Remove from the heat and serve over rice with green onions as a garnish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.8, Fat 14.2, SaturatedFat 4.6, Cholesterol 28.6, Sodium 826.9, Carbohydrate 45.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 6.9, Protein 19
AWESOME RED BEANS AND RICE
I am from Louisiana and one of my family's favorite dinner is red beans and rice. It's very simple and is the perfect meal for any occasion. I hope you will enjoy this true cajun classic.
Provided by 08ponychick
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 8h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Soak red beans over night, you may sprinkle baking soda in the water to lessen the gas affects. Place beans, and everything but the rice in a slow cooker. Set on low and cook for about 8 hours, or until beans are soft. Put 1 c rice in slow cooker and cook on high until rice is completely done. Serve with cornbread if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 584.8, Fat 34.9, SaturatedFat 12.2, Cholesterol 68.2, Sodium 1480.4, Carbohydrate 37.4, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 1.2, Protein 28.6
BEST SPANISH RICE
The combination of picante sauce and chicken broth makes this easy recipe very tasty!
Provided by Angela Sims
Categories Side Dish Rice Side Dish Recipes Spanish Rice Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Mix rice into skillet, stirring often. When rice begins to brown, stir in chicken broth and salsa. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 286 calories, Carbohydrate 50.9 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 696.6 mg, Sugar 2.3 g
RED BEANS AND RICE
Every Monday, you can find a pot of red beans and rice cooking in someone's kitchen in New Orleans. The food writer and New Orleans bon vivant Pableaux Johnson's house is no exception. The dish, an easy meal from when people used to reserve Monday to do the wash, was once made with the pork bone left over from Sunday supper. In this version, Mr. Johnson strongly encourages the use of hand-made Louisiana Andouille, but smoked sausage will do.
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories side dish
Time 6h30m
Yield About 12 cups
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cover beans in water and soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. (Water should cover beans by at least an inch.)
- In a large, heavy pot, brown sausage in 1 tablespoon of oil until slightly crisp. Add remaining oil, then the garlic and onions. Sauté over medium heat until onions become transparent and limp. Add celery and bell pepper and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Pour soaked beans and water into the pot and bring to a simmer. Add black pepper, cayenne, salt and all herbs except parsley.
- Cook until beans are softened, about 11/2 to 2 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Fifteen minutes before serving, remove 1 cup of beans to a bowl and, using a fork, mash them and stir back into the pot to enhance the creamy texture of the dish. Add parsley and green onions. Simmer about 15 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning, and add up to 1 cup more water if beans seem too thick. Remove bay leaves. Serve over white long-grain rice.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 317, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 18 grams, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 324 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Soak the beans overnight: Soaking the beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and makes them more digestible.
- Use a good quality stock: The stock you use will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Use a homemade stock or a good quality store-bought stock.
- Don't overcook the beans: Overcooked beans will be mushy and bland. Cook them until they are just tender.
- Add the vegetables at the end of cooking: This will help to keep them crisp and flavorful.
- Season the dish to taste: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Conclusion:
Red beans and rice is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. This dish is also a great way to use up leftover beans. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
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