Red Beans & Rice Take 2 + Weekend Guests

Almost midway through the month of November, I was treated to a weekend visit from the Kirklands. Bradley has been a dear, brother-friend to me since high school, but what a delight it was to find a new, kindred spirit in his wife Allison. The weekend was shared eating delicious cajun flavor  - out and from our kitchen -, watching football, going on walks to the park and around the neighborhood,* and having multiple bouts of deep, encouraging conversation. Weekends like this reinforce the truth that we are not meant to carry our burdens or experience our joys alone. We get to share them. 

And sometimes we also get the pleasure of sharing our kitchen. Allison is an amazing cook; I spent a good bit of the weekend sitting on a barstool opposite of the stove watching her work her magic. Unlike this simple, healthy recipe, Allison's spin on Red Beans and Rice is truly delicious, and with two types of pork sausage, truly decadent.

Ingredients:

12 oz. Jimmy Dean Sausage

1 lb. Conecuh Sausage

2 cans light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 onion, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 TBSP minced garlic

1 TBSP Tony Chachere's, or more if desired

Salt and pepper to taste

1 TBSP flour

• Brown meats, but don't drain grease afterwards. The grease drippings will be used to saute your "trinity."

According to Allison, most cajun cooking is upheld by the trinity. This savory trio consists of onion, garlic and bell pepper and is your base. Just as a roux is the base for gravy, the trinity is the backbone for Cajun cuisine.

• Saute onions until translucent. Add bell pepper and garlic. Saute on medium heat for about five minutes, stirring constantly.

• Sprinkle in Tony's, salt and pepper.

• Add rinsed and drained kidney beans along with 1 1/2 cups water. 

• Bring to a boil. Place three bay leafs on top then cover with lid.

• Simmer for 45 minutes.

• To thicken soup, combine 1 TBSP flour with hot water in a coffee cup. Stir flour water into the pot and stir until evenly combined. Allow to simmer about five more minutes.

• Serve over rice.

Sweet friends getting in a little Christmas shopping.

*I have moved. Yes, again! And there's a pretty neat God-story to explain my new home. To learn more, stay tuned for next week's post.