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Cozy Classic Red Beans and Rice Recipe

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A comforting and hearty red beans and rice dish perfect for busy weeknights, featuring smoky sausage, creamy beans, and fluffy rice with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup dried red kidney beans (soaked overnight or quick-soaked)
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 12 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa, sliced)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup dried red kidney beans under cold water. Soak overnight in enough water to cover by 2 inches or quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes, then cover and let sit for 1 hour.
  2. Drain and rinse soaked beans; set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Brown for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add drained beans, 4 cups chicken broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and mixture is thick and creamy. Add water or broth if too thick. Season with salt and black pepper during the last 15 minutes.
  8. While beans simmer, rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boil. Add rice and a pinch of salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove bay leaves from beans. Spoon creamy red beans over fluffy rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.

Notes

Soak beans overnight or use quick-soak method to reduce cooking time. Simmer beans gently to avoid splitting. Rinse rice before cooking for fluffy texture. Add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers to restore creaminess. Vegetarian substitutions include smoked tempeh or mushrooms with smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, easy dinner, Monday night meal, comfort food, smoked sausage, Creole recipe, hearty dinner

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-classic-red-beans-and-rice-recipe-easy-monday-night-dinner-idea/