AUTHENTIC LOUISIANA RED BEANS AND RICE RECIPES

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.

Steps:

• Select SAUTÉ setting on a programmable pressure multicooker (such as Instant Pot). (Times, instructions, and settings may vary according to cooker brand or model.) Select HIGH temperature setting, add oil to cooker, and allow to preheat until oil is shimmering, 5 to 6 minutes. Add ham hock, and cook, turning often, until browned lightly on all sides, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery, jalapeños, Cajun seasoning, and paprika;  stir to combine. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add beans, thyme, bay leaves, chicken broth, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt; stir to combine.
• Press CANCEL on multicooker. Cover cooker with lid, and lock in place. Turn steam release handle to SEALING position. Select MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK setting. Select HIGH pressure for 75 minutes. (It will take 10 to 15 minutes for cooker to come up to pressure before cooking begins.)
• Meanwhile (about 40 minutes before ready to serve), combine water, rice, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan over high. Bring mixture to a boil; cover with lid, and reduce heat to low. Cook 15 minutes, without removing the lid. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, 20 minutes, undisturbed.
• When multicooker has finished, carefully turn steam release handle on multicooker to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop). (This will take 3 to 4 minutes.) Remove lid from cooker, and stir. Remove ham hock, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard thyme and bay leaves. Remove all meat from ham hock, discarding bone and fat; chop meat. Add meat to bean mixture, and stir to combine. Serve immediately with rice, and top servings with scallions. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.