Red Beans and Rice

[Aerows]

Well, it's Monday, so you know what we will have for dinner (or lunch) here in the Cajun belt.

Red beans and Rice!

I'm pretty sure I've posted my recipe before, I'm curious about yours if you haven't. What kind of sausage do you use, which spices, and most importantly, how long do you cook a pot of them?

It's a Monday tradition

[tkmorris]

1. Mine is probably different every time

And I do have to be careful with the seasonings as we have a daughter who loves the stuff but finds things like bell pepper "spicy" (you can imagine her reaction to cayenne). I've tried just about every kind of sausage there is in there, Andouille, Chorizo, Kielbasa, you name it. As for how long, they are done when they're DONE. Start them first thing in the morning and they should be done by dinner.

If you have a recipe you like I'd love to see it. I can always use some new ideas.

[Aerows]

4. I always go Andoiulle

best tasting, and adds a flavor to the dish. I cook mine with garlic cloves, caramelized onions and a small bit of tabasco peppers. They are fierce and some in the family can't handle them.

[cbayer]

2. For me, the best sausage for Red Beans is this:

Served on the plate but in one big piece.

[Aerows]

3. I like Andouille

but that's just the New Orleans coming out in me

[Lugnut]

16. That's what I use.

I chop mine in bite size pieces and mix it all together. Delicious!

[Texasgal]

5. Love me some red beans and rice

I am a vegetarian so I don't use sausage.

I like mine with onions, black pepper, thinly sliced celery and green peppers. Some garlic and some Cajun spice! A dash of Worcestershire in there too!

Cook my red beans all day in the crock pot, then I make some white rice on the cooker and pour my beans over!!

Some crusty french bread with some real whipped butter goes perfectly!

[Aerows]

6. Cher, I don't know how to tell you this

but AND I Love it, Worcestershire contains meat. Anchovies, which if you decide they are meat or not is kind of like deciding lutefisk shouldn't be eaten by Icelanders.

Ceaser dressing contains it, too. I am not a vegetarian, but I'm not arrogant about it, either. I lived with a vegan for a year and a half, so I am not immune to your struggles.

Many things that you can utilize to marinade are ... meat containing.

[Texasgal]

7. well, I am not cher.. firstly

and secondly I do not follow a strict vegetarian menu.

So there!

Did you find arrogance in my post? If so I aplogize... not intended.

[Aerows]

8. My apologies

that's an informal term among folks in the Cajun belt. Cher is a term of endearment and friendship.

I didn't mean to offend you, it slipped out, and my apologies.

[Texasgal]

9. Not upset in the slightest!

[Aerows]

10. No disrespect was intended

it was actually affectionate, but I forget how many people have no idea it is meant that way.

[Texasgal]

11. No problem here!

Thank you for you explanation!

[Aerows]

12. So if I accidentally call you Cher

you will take it as friendship ?

[Texasgal]

13. Absolutely!

[Aerows]

14. You rock, cher n/t :D

[pengillian101]

15. Please tell me when discussing lutefisk, wouldya?

I love the stuff once or twice a year. That time is coming up soon.

Wrapped up in lefse with melted butter and salt...mmm

[Aerows]

20. I'm so sorry I brought it up

Lutefisk in a cooking forum is like cursing in a church LMAO.

PS - I was just picking and didn't mean it as anything more than a joke, my friend.

[pengillian101]

21. Ha!

What??? You've never been to a Lutheran church basement lutefisk and lefse feed, along with Swedish meatballs? More's the pity...

Lutefisk, somehow, is just meant to be joked about.

Someone recently gave me a tee-shirt that says "Only REAL women eat lutefisk"

[Granny M]

17. Sounds good.

Do you use ordinary red kidney beans, or is it another kind of red bean?

I am leaning hard toward vegetarianism. Did fall off the wagon last night and had smoked salmon at a restaurant. Today is another day. Red beans and rice sounds perfect for dinner tonight.

[Aerows]

19. Regular kidney beans

They cook up nicely when you soak them overnight with baking soda. Cheap as dirt, but hearty and filling!

[Coyote_Bandit]

18. I am drooling just thinking about eating real red beans and rice

I usually prepare only a small batch at a time. And I prepare it the lazy way.

I saute 2 cups of frozen seasoning blend (onion, celery, bell pepper mix) in the least amount of olive oil required. I sometimes dice a tomato into this blend and I always add garlic to tsste.

Then I add a can of drained and rinsed red beans or kidney beans and I add cajun seasoning to taste. I may add a bit of tomato sauce. Or a few drops of liquid smoke.

I slice a half a package of Johnsonville New Orleans sausage or beef smoked sausage into medallions and add to the pot.

I serve over brown rice with a mixed green salad.

Not the same as the real stuff for sure. But works well for a small household.