Red Beans and Rice

Seamus and I have have traveled to New Orleans three times since we have been together. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that is our favorite US city to visit. We love the food, the music, and all of the fun that we always find when we are in town.

Recently two good friends of ours that we lived with in Hawaii, Bob and Dorothy, moved to New Orleans. We went down to to visit them last year for New Years Eve. We had a fantastic time, and one of the highlights was when Bob cooked red beans and rice for us at their home.

Shea cooked the beans listed below, and I loved them. They instantly took me back to my memories of New Orleans, a place so fun that even when it is time to go home you just want to turn back for one more bowl of cajun food and an abita ale!

Red Beans and Rice

Courtesy of Allrecipes.com at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/authentic-louisiana-red-beans-and-rice/

Ingredients 

Original recipe makes 8 servings   

• 1 pound dry kidney beans
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 2 bay leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups long grain white rice

1. Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. 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.
4. Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
5. 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.