Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice recipe

 Here's a delicious Louisiana-style Red Beans & Rice recipe:

How to prepare.

Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice recipe

Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice recipe

Ingredients:

➤ 1 lb (about 450g) dried red kidney beans

➤ 1 lb (about 450g) smoked sausage, such as Andouille or Kielbasa, sliced

➤ 1 large onion, chopped

➤ 1 bell pepper, chopped

➤ 3 stalks celery, chopped

➤ 4 cloves garlic, minced

➤ 3 bay leaves

➤ 1 teaspoon dried thyme

➤ 1 teaspoon dried oregano

➤ 1 teaspoon paprika

➤ 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

➤ Salt and black pepper, to taste

➤ 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

➤ Cooked white rice, for serving

➤ Chopped green onions, for garnish

➤ Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beans: Rinse the dried red kidney beans and pick out any debris. Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl covered with water, or do a quick soak by bringing them to a boil in a large pot of water, then removing from heat and letting them soak for 1 hour. Drain the soaked beans and set aside.

2. Cook the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the sliced sausage over medium heat until browned and some fat has rendered, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot with the rendered fat, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Add Seasonings and Beans: Stir in the bay leaves, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add the drained soaked beans to the pot and stir to coat them with the vegetables and seasonings.

5. Cook the Beans: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and creamy. Add more broth or water if necessary to keep the beans covered.

6. Mash Some Beans: Optionally, use the back of a spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the mixture.

7. Finish and Serve: Return the cooked sausage to the pot and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the Louisiana-style Red Beans & Rice over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with hot sauce on the side, if desired.

Enjoy your flavorful and comforting Louisiana-style Red Beans & Rice!