Friday, August 21, 2009

Authenic Red Beans & Rice


• 1 pound dried red beans, soaked overnight
• 10 cups water
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
• 8 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, or to taste
• 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 ham hock
• 4 cups cooked rice
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the beans and water into a slow cooker. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage in the skillet; remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and transfer to the slow cooker. Reserve drippings. Add onion, green pepper, jalapeno pepper and garlic to the drippings; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer everything from the skillet to the slow cooker.
2. Season the mixture with pepper and Creole seasoning. Add the fresh basil leaves and ham hock. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or until beans are tender. If the bean mixture seems too watery, take the lid off the slow cooker and set heat to High to cook until they reach a creamy texture.

FOOTNOTE:
• When making your rice, if you have the time try it this way: Boil your rice until nearly done, drain in a metal strainer and rinse with cold water. Add about an inch of water to the pot you boiled the rice in and place the strainer full of rice on top of the pot. place on stove on medium heat, cover and steam the rice for about 15 minutes. This is a little time consuming, but it makes perfect rice.

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