Red Beans and Rice

This recipe is bursting with flavor. Eric and I love the spicy kick it has! It is also a very forgiving recipe...once you get used to it, you can add or subtract ingredients that sound good or you have on hand. For instance, I used half an orange pepper, a red onion, and added a pound of chunked ham to it this time - it was delicious. The way it is written here it is spicy, but not too spicy for my 10 month old to enjoy! Add more cayenne pepper and cajun seasoning if you like things even hotter! Also, there are several ways to make it. I'll explain the stove top version with dry beans first. The crockpot version with canned beans is my favorite though because it is so quick and easy. Regardless of the way you cook it, it always turns out fabulous!

Red Beans and Rice

submitted by Brittany

1 1/2 c red beans

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 pkg Polska Kielbasa

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1 Tb butter

2 dashes Tabasco sauce

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp thyme

1 tsp dry mustard

1 Tb Worchestershire sauce

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp Cajun spice

Soak beans in 4 cups hot water and 1 Tb salt; cover and let stand for 6 hours to soften. Then drain beans and add 3 1/2 cups fresh water and tomato sauce. Cut sausage into pieces and saute with butter. Add chopped onion, garlic, and green pepper until tender; add to beans. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over hot rice. (To thicken last 15 minutes, mix 1 part flour to 3 parts cold water. Stir into mixture until desired thickness.)

*Now the way I usually do it is in the crockpot with canned beans...here it is:

In place of the dry beans, use 3 cans of red beans. (Drain most of the liquid off the beans) Also, you may substitue 1/2 tsp garlic salt for the garlic clove. Place all ingredients (minus butter)directly into the crockpot - no need to saute veggies with sausage. Add 3/4 c water. Cook on low for 3-5 hours. I serve it with brown rice in an attempt to be healthy. Sometimes I buy the lowfat Polska Kielbasa too...of course it is not nearly as good!