Southern Comfort Food (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Beans
01 -
1 pound dry kidney beans
02 -
¼ cup olive oil
03 -
1 large onion, chopped
04 -
1 green bell pepper, chopped
05 -
2 stalks celery, chopped
06 -
2 tablespoons minced garlic
07 -
6 cups water
08 -
2 bay leaves
09 -
1 tablespoon dried parsley
10 -
1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 -
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
12 -
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
13 -
¼ teaspoon dried sage
14 -
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
→ For the Rice
15 -
4 cups water
16 -
2 cups long grain white rice
→ Optional Serving Suggestions
17 -
Hot sauce
18 -
Apple cider vinegar
# Instructions:
01 -
Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight (or for at least 8 hours).
02 -
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
03 -
Rinse the soaked beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans.
04 -
Season with bay leaves, parsley, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and sage. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
05 -
Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
06 -
Meanwhile, prepare the rice. Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
07 -
Serve beans over steamed white rice. Optionally, add hot sauce or a splash of apple cider vinegar to each bowl.
# Notes:
01 -
This is an authentic Cajun dish from Louisiana, perfect for feeding a crowd.
02 -
The "holy trinity" of Cajun cooking (onion, bell pepper, and celery) forms the flavor base of this dish.
03 -
For a quicker version, you can use canned red beans, but the flavor won't be as rich.
04 -
Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to each bowl enhances the flavor, as is traditional in Louisiana.