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Red Beans and Rice–I don’t know life without it. It was a staple in my Southern household. We ate it all year long, not just during the revelry of Mardi Gras. Instead of giving you my thoughts on this creole classic, I thought you would be humored by the thoughts of my husband. He is a born and bred midwesterner to whom all things cajun/creole might as well be from a different planet. At this time, I would like to introduce you to my husband and devoted taste tester, David.
Red Beans and Rice smells like the house of a voodoo priestess. “Now I’m gonna stab this live chicken in the neck and its still-beating heart is gonna pulse blood all over these dolls of your enemies and…hold on while I go stir the beans on the stove.” It smells of humidity, Spanish moss, witch doctors, and mashed up folk religion. All in a good way, that is, to a nose that did not enjoy its pleasures until adulthood. There are seemingly eighty-seven levels of flavor in this dish, each one contributed by a different cultural source. Splash some Tabasco on a hot bowl and dig deep. Your dreams will have you running around one of those above-ground tomb cemeteries dodging ghosts and the like. O.K., at least mine will.
Alllrighty then. I guess what he is trying to tell you is that he really loves this dish. Slow cooked beans with sausage, ham hocks, and some veggies for good measure–what’s not to love?
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Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, picked over and soaked overnight in 8 cups (2 quarts) of cold water
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- 2 large yellow onions, finely diced
- 2 large celery ribs, finely diced
- 2 green peppers, finely diced
- 4 large cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 14-16 ounces smoked andouille or smoked kielbasa, cut into ½-inch thick slices
- Kosher salt to taste
Accompaniments
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- Tabasco Sauce, optional
Garnish
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (light and dark green only)
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, combine stock, water, ham hocks, onions, celery, peppers, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and peppers; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally until the ham hocks are tender, about 1 1½ hours. Transfer the ham hocks to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside to cool.
- Drain the beans, add them to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for one hour.
- Shred the meat from the cooled ham hocks and add to the pot along with the sliced sausage. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for 2 ½ -3 hours, stirring occasionally until the beans are soft and the mixture is thick, adding extra water or broth if needed. Season to taste with salt, cayenne, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve over white rice, garnished with sliced scallions and seasoned with Tabasco, if using. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
you had me at 'red beans and rice smell like the house of a voodoo priestess.' it's so true. and it's suuuuch a staple for me too. (once deep south, always deep south.)
Love that you posted this in time for Mardi Gras dinner:) Looks fabulous ~ and I love Dave's perception!! What a wise man.
What's not to love about red beans and rice, and your wonderful husband David?! He added the right mystical undertones to make it taste even more like home. I feel like rushing out to find some ham hocks and andouille. Pleasant dreams!
This looks fantastic…especially with the kielbasa! Comfort food loving for sure 🙂
Eighty-seven levels of flavor, huh? That sounds pretty intense. I'm not sure if my tongue can handle that many. But it's sure going to try. This sounds delicious!
Love the layers of flavors… and your final note attributing the source to years in the kitchen watching your Mom. Red beans and rice are for any day of the week in my galley, yummmmmmm.
Classic New Orleans comfort food. Weekly fare in my kitchen. Thanks for the post Angelia @ https://dixielandcountry.com
You and your mother are amazing human beings… This has become such a part of my family for years now and we thank you!!!… Much love and respect!!!!