CAJUN RED BEANS AND RICE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Place kidney beans in large pot. Add enough water to pot to cover beans by 2 inches. Bring to boil. Remove pot from heat. Cover and let beans stand 1 hour to soften. Drain. Return beans to same pot. Add 7 cups water and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain beans, reserving 2 cups of cooking liquid.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups onions and saute' until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add sausage, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and saute' until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in beans, reserved 2 cups cooking liquid, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Reduce heat to low; simmer until liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 3/4 cups water, rice, butter, bay leaf, thyme, and remaining 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered 10 minutes.
• Spoon kidney beans into bowls. Top with rice and serve.

Steps:

• Place the beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with water by 2 inches. Let soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
• In a large pot, heat the bacon grease over medium-high heat. Add the tasso and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the onions, celery and bell peppers to the grease in the pot. Season with the salt, pepper, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves, parsley, thyme, sausage, and ham hocks, and cook, stirring, to brown the sausage and ham hocks, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the beans and stock or water, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and starting to thicken, about 2 hours. (Should the beans become too thick and dry, add more water, about 1/4 cup at a time.)
• 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. Continue to cook until the beans are tender and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaves.
• Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.