Cajun Red Beans and Rice
A flavorful and hearty dish combining red kidney beans, vegetables, and spices served over white rice. Perfect for a satisfying main course.
Categories: main course
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 9 1/2 cups water
- 1 14 1/2-ounce can low-salt chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 3/4 cups chopped onions
- 1 1/4 cups diced fully cooked andouille sausage or hot links
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Place kidney beans in large pot. Add enough water to the pot to cover beans by 2 inches. Bring to boil. Remove pot from heat. Cover and let beans stand 1 hour to soften. Drain. Return beans to the same pot. Add 7 cups water and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain beans, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid.
- Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups onions and sauté until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add sausage, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and sauté until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in beans, reserved 2 cups cooking liquid, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika and cayenne. Reduce heat to low; simmer until liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 3/4 cups water, rice, butter, bay leaf, thyme and remaining 3/4 cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered 10 minutes.
- Spoon kidney beans into bowls. Top with rice and serve.