Louisiana Style Red Beans & Rice
Prep Time
20 minutes
Prep Notes
There are several ways to approach the red kidney beans in this recipe.
When using dried red kidney beans:
1) Rinse and soak over night.
2) Quick Soak Method:
Rinse and drain beans. Place in large pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Turn off heat, cover and let sit for one hour. Then rinse, drain and proceed with recipe.
3) Use canned beans; rinsed and drained.
Cooking Time
2 - 3 hours; if using dried beans. 30 - 40 minutes if using canned beans.
Yields
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried red kidney beans; soaked over night, or using the Quick Soak Method, mentioned above. Or, four 15 oz cans, or two large cans
- 1 large bell pepper; seeded and chopped
- 1 large onion; chopped small
- 3 large carrots; peeled & diced
- 3 large celery stalks; diced
- 1 box low-sodium, organic vegetable broth, or 4 - 5 cans; use more if necessary as beans cook
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Better than Bouillon Organic Vegetable Base (this product is a MUST when flavoring vegetarian soups, sauces & stews. You can find it at Sprouts, or online.
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher, or sea salt, or pink Himalayan salt
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- Optional: Tabasco, Sriracha, or Louisiana Red Pepper Sauce
White or Brown Rice - prepared according to package directions.
These beans would also be wonderful poured over the top of the grain of your choice; quinoa, wild rice, millet, or a nice grain combo.
Directions
Depending on which method of preparation for the red kidney beans; prepare beans and proceed with the following directions:
1. Saute onions, celery and bell pepper in a couple tablespoons of vegetable broth. As they cook, add the 1 teaspoon of salt, and sweat the vegetables until transparent; adding small amounts of broth if necessary to not burn the vegetables. Be careful not to allow them to brown.
2. Add carrots, garlic, bay leaves and garlic, stirring to mix well.
3. Add beans, spices and broth.
4. If using canned beans, cover and cook for approximately 30 - 40 minutes - until carrots are very soft.
5. If using soaked, dried beans, cook for approximately 2 - 3 hours, until beans are tender and cooked thoroughly.
Pour mixture over hot cooked rice, or hot cooked grain of your choice.
A few splashes of Tabasco, or Sriracha, or your favorite Louisiana hot sauce goes very well here!
Credit
This one is all mine - inspired by our trip to Lousiana!