SOUTH AMERICAN RICE DISH RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse and sort beans and place into a deep pot, adding water to cover beans plus an inch. Soak overnight or bring to a boil; boil for 5 minutes uncovered, turn off heat, cover and let soak for one hour. Drain and set aside.
• Heat cooking oil in the pot. Cut sausage into 1-inch chunks and add to oil, cooking until browned; remove and set aside.
• Add bacon and cook until fat is rendered. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery to the drippings and sauté the veggies until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, black and red pepper, basil and bay leaf to the vegetable mixture and continue cooking for about 3 minutes, stirring.
• Add the ham bone or hocks, beans and sausage, and the 2 quarts of fresh water. Bring to a boil. 
• Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until beans are tender and slightly thickened. 
• For extra richness, stir in the butter when beans are finished. Remove bay leaves and discard. 
• Remove bone or hocks and pick off any meat, returning to the pot. Taste and adjust for seasonings, adding salt only if needed. 
• Serve over hot, steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onion, if desired. Pass hot sauce at the table.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
• Add ground beef, sausage, salt, pepper and garlic to a large skillet then brown and crumble over medium-high heat.
• When meat is about half cooked, add onion and celery then continue cooking until meat is cooked through and veggies are tender. Do not drain.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together broth and soups until smooth. Pour soup mixture into skillet, stir then continue cooking until everything starts to bubble.
• Gently stir in rice then pour everything into baking dish dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil then bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. If mixture cools before baking, allow up to 20 additional minutes of cooking time.
• Remove casserole from oven and let rest, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove foil then fluff rice with a fork before serving.