AUTHENTIC AND QUICK RED BEANS AND RICE (WITH ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE)

Steps:

• Heat one cup of water and soak bay leaves in the water for at least 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced celery and cook 1-2 minutes. Then add diced Onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer vegetables to large stock pot. Drain kidney beans, reserving some of the liquid, and add beans to pot. Add one can of diced tomatoes (with liquid) to stock pot. Remove the bay leaves from the hot water and add the seasoned liquid to the pot. (If the bay leaves have not soaked long enough, you can add them later). If additional liquid is needed, add some of the reserved liquid from the beans or a small amount of water.
• In the same skillet you sauteed vegetables in, add Andouille sausage and cook over medium heat. You can slice the sausage then cook it or cook whole sausage then let cool and slice.
• Add cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning to the stock pot with the beans and vegetables. Bring to a slight boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 1 hour.
• Stir cooked sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes. At this point, you can add Goya brand Sofrito (a sauce used to season soups and stews) or 1 packet Sazon Goya (a seasoning packet that contains MSG) if desired. You can find Goya products in the Mexican food aisle of the grocery store.
• Add additional water, salt, pepper, or Creole seasoning to taste, if needed.
• Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, put 1 Tablespoon butter, and 2 cups water for every one cup dry rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice. Serve Louisiana Hot Sauce at the table, if desired.