Traditional Monday Red Beans and Rice

Apparently red beans and rice is a dish traditionally served on Mondays in Louisiana. I don’t recall this being the case when I lived there but I enjoy the idea of traditions so I’ll run with it. This recipe makes me happy. Why? Because it’s healthy southern food. Southern food gets a not so nice reputation for being heavy, fried, buttery and mainly just downright unhealthy. Honestly, living in the Midwest most of our foods are beige. White rice, white potatoes, white bread, ranch dressing and don’t forget all things fried. This recipe on the other hand is the opposite. Yes, I serve it over white rice, but that is it when it comes to not so healthy. If you want to avoid white rice try serving this over brown rice or barley.

This recipe starts with the Southern trinity: green pepper, onion and celery. If I have a little extra of any of these on hand when cooking (half an onion, a few extra celery stalks) I just go ahead and throw them in. It’s veggies, extra is ok. You can use dried kidney beans, I don’t ever have any luck with them, just be sure to soften them before use. The sausage can add extra fat if you aren’t careful. I normally like to use a beef kielbasa (if you haven’t noticed by now we eat very little pork in our house), but low fat andouille or chicken sausage are yummy alternatives. If you want to add a little extra depth of flavor sauté the veggies in a little olive oil before adding the beans, seasoning and sausage. Also, you can throw in a couple of chicken or beef bouillon cube when you add the water.

30oz. red kidney beans

3 celery ribs, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 onion, chopped

2 T. parsley flakes

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

15oz. sausage

2 c. white rice

Drain and rinse kidney beans.

Combine all ingredients, except for the rice, in a large pot. Add enough water to partially cover ingredients. Simmer for about an hour. Stir occasionally.

Serve over rice.

I know at some point in time I got this recipe from Zatarain’s. I scoured there web site and I was unable to find a link.