Flavorful Cajun Red Beans & Rice Delight
Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of this Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe, perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal. With tender red kidney beans simmered with aromatic vegetables and zesty andouille sausage, each bite is a burst of Southern goodness. Serve it over fluffy long-grain rice for a delightful one-dish meal that transports you straight to Louisiana! It’s not just a meal; it's an experience to share with loved ones.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried red kidney beans
1 lb (rinsed and sorted)
water
9 3/4 cups (divided)
low sodium chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (opened)
vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (for sautéing)
chopped onions
2 1/2 cups (divided)
fully cooked andouille sausages
1 1/4 cups (diced (or hot Italian sausage links))
chopped green bell pepper
1 cup (fresh)
chopped celery
1 cup (fresh)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
salt
2 teaspoons (divided)
ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon (divided)
paprika
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for heat)
long-grain white rice
1 1/2 cups (uncooked)
butter
3 tablespoons (for flavor)
bay leaf
1 (for seasoning)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the dried red kidney beans in a large pot. Cover the beans with water, ensuring they're submerged by at least 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and let the beans sit for one hour to soften.
2
After an hour, drain the beans and return them to the pot. Add 7 cups of fresh water along with the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the beans are tender, which should take about one hour.
3
While the beans are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 2 cups of chopped onions and sauté until they start to soften, approximately 4 minutes.
4
Next, incorporate the diced sausage, chopped green bell pepper, chopped celery, and minced garlic into the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the vegetables are tender, which should take around 10 minutes.
5
Add the cooked beans to the skillet, along with the reserved 2 cups of cooking liquid, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer until the liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
6
In a separate large saucepan, combine the remaining 2 3/4 cups of water, long-grain white rice, butter, bay leaf, dried thyme, the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring this to a simmer over high heat, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, roughly 20 minutes.
7
Once the rice is done, remove it from heat and let it sit covered for an additional 10 minutes to enhancef its fluffiness.
8
To serve, spoon generous portions of the flavorful kidney bean mixture into bowls and top it with the fluffy rice. Enjoy hot and share with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary dish in this recipe?
The dish is Flavorful Cajun Red Beans & Rice Delight, a traditional Southern comfort food.
What type of beans are used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of dried red kidney beans.
How should the dried beans be prepared before cooking?
They should be rinsed, sorted, and then quick-soaked by boiling for a few minutes and letting them sit for one hour.
What kind of sausage is recommended?
Fully cooked andouille sausage is recommended, though hot Italian sausage links can be used as a substitute.
What is the 'Holy Trinity' of vegetables included in this recipe?
The recipe includes the Cajun Holy Trinity: chopped onions, green bell pepper, and celery.
How much garlic is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 6 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of rice is used?
Long-grain white rice is used for this recipe.
Is the rice cooked with the beans or separately?
The rice is cooked in a separate large saucepan with water, butter, and seasonings.
What seasonings are used for the bean mixture?
The bean mixture is seasoned with salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
How long do the beans need to simmer after the initial soak?
The beans should simmer for about one hour until tender after the initial soaking process.
What liquid is used to cook the beans?
The beans are cooked in a mixture of fresh water and one 14.5-ounce can of low-sodium chicken broth.
How much onion is needed in total?
A total of 2 1/2 cups of chopped onions is used, divided between the beans and the rice.
What is the purpose of adding butter to the rice?
Butter is added to the rice to provide extra flavor and a better texture.
Are there any herbs used in the rice?
Yes, the rice is flavored with a bay leaf and dried thyme.
How long should the rice cook?
The rice should cook for roughly 20 minutes once it reaches a simmer.
What should I do after the rice finishes cooking?
Remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for 10 minutes to enhance its fluffiness.
How is the final dish served?
Serve by spooning the flavorful kidney bean mixture into bowls and topping it with the fluffy rice.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a zesty kick due to the andouille sausage and cayenne pepper.
Can I use vegetable oil for sautéing?
Yes, the recipe specifies 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil for sautéing the vegetables and sausage.
How much water is used for the rice specifically?
The rice requires 2 3/4 cups of water.
What is the texture of the final bean mixture?
The mixture should be simmered until the liquid thickens slightly, creating a rich sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients total, including spices and seasonings.
Can I use a different type of broth?
While chicken broth is specified, you could use beef or vegetable broth, though it may alter the traditional flavor.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include cajun, one dish meal, comfort food, beans and rice, southern cooking, spicy, and hearty.
How much paprika is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of paprika for seasoning.
Is the sausage added raw or cooked?
The recipe calls for fully cooked andouille sausage which is then diced and sautéed.
What should the heat setting be for the final bean simmer?
The heat should be reduced to low for the final 15-minute simmer.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried thyme?
The recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
How much green bell pepper is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chopped fresh green bell pepper.
Is this a good meal for gatherings?
Yes, it is described as perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal.