Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe

If you’re feeling like having some authentic food from the deep south, then Betty Borgers has the answer for you in her Red Beans and Rice recipe. Betty says that a crucial key is to buy the best beans you can from a “Cajun” grocer. One location to do so is from the website www.cajungrocer.com

If you like this recipe, try some delicious OLLI Sweet and Sour Meatballs.

RED BEANS AND RICE

1 lb. red beans (Camelia red beans from New Orleans are the very best. They are available online at http://www.cajungrocer.com and other “Cajun” sites)
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
⅓ – ½ cup bacon grease
Salt and pepper to taste. If you want spicier beans use cayenne pepper.

1. Place beans in a large round pot (dutch oven), add water to 4 inches above beans, soak overnight. Discard water after overnight soaking.
2. Add water to 4 inches above beans. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves and bacon grease.
3. Cover pot and bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook until beans are tender and water has turned creamy (3 – 4 hours). Stir often to avoid beans from sticking to bottom of pot. Add water as needed.
4. Discard bay leaves and serve over white rice.

They are even better the second day!

– submitted by Betty Borgers