The Gumbo Pages Traditional Red Beans And Rice Food

"THE GUMBO PAGES" TRADITIONAL RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight, if possible. The next day, drain and put fresh water in the pot. (This helps reduce the flatulence factor.)
• Bring the beans to a rolling boil. Make sure the beans are always covered by water, or they will discolor and get hard. Boil the beans for about 45 - 60 minutes, until the beans are tender but not falling apart. Drain.
• While the beans are boiling, sauté the Trinity (onions, celery, bell pepper) until the onions turn translucent. Add the garlic and saute for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After the beans are boiled and drained, add the sautéed vegetables to the beans, then add the liquid smoke (or ham hock), smoked sausage/turkey sausage, seasonings, and just enough water to cover.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook uncovered for 2 hours at least, preferably 3, until the whole thing gets nice and creamy. I taste the broth at around 1.5 hours and adjust seasonings as they cook down. Stir occasionally, making sure that it doesn't burn and/or stick to the bottom of the pot.
• NOTE: If the beans are old -- say, older than six months to a year -- they won't get creamy. Make sure the beans are reasonably fresh. If it's still not getting creamy, take 1 or 2 cups of beans out and mash them, then return them to the pot and stir.
• If you can -- let the beans cool, stick them in the fridge, and reheat and serve for dinner the next day. They'll taste a LOT better. When you do this, you'll need to add a little water to get them to the right consistency.
• Serve generous ladles-ful over hot white long-grain rice, with good French bread. I also have a bottle of hot sauce on the side for those who like it spicy!

GUY'S GUMBO SHACK - RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add all ingredients except beans and rice and saute until vegetables are soft. Add beans and cook for 30 minutes over medium heat. Use hand blender or potato masher to mash beans until approximately 50 percent of the beans remain intact. Serve over cooked white rice.

BELIZEAN TRADITIONAL BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Soften beans (soak first) with garlic.
• Boil until tender and whole, adding salt meat (previously boiled to soften) when almost tender.
• Add the milk, onion and seasonings.
• Wash rice, then add to the beans.
• Cook over gentle heat until liquid is absorbed.
• Stir gently with a fork, and add a little water from time to time until rice is cooked.
• Serve hot with a meat dish.
• (Some favorite meat dishes with rice and beans are: stuffed baked chicken, stew chicken, stew fish, fried fish or meat balls).

RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• For the smoked turkey neck stock: Place the smoked turkey necks and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Drain and return the turkey necks to the pot. Add the bay leaf and cover with 10 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, then keep warm while you prepare the red beans ingredients, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the turkey necks and reserve the stock. Set both aside.
• For the red beans: Heat the oil in an 8-quart heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Stir in the celery, onions and peppers and cook until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the thyme, garlic and bay leaves and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the red beans, smoked turkey sausage, Worcestershire sauce and the reserved turkey necks. Add enough turkey stock to fully cover the beans (about 8 cups) and reserve any remaining stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally to keep the beans from sticking, until the beans are tender, and the turkey necks are falling apart, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Uncover the pot, smash some of the beans on the side of the pot with the back of a large metal spoon to make them creamy, then cover and cook for 30 minutes more (see Cook's Note).
• Meanwhile, combine the cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon pepper in a small bowl. Combine the green onions and parsley in a small bowl or on your cutting board. Stir the seasoning mixture into the finished beans, taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• To serve, spoon the beans over a plate of cooked rice. Garnish with the green onions and parsley mixture, sprinkle with hot sauce to taste and serve with garlic bread.

AUTHENTIC LOUISIANA RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
• In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
• Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.