When I was in New Orleans in the 90s, I fell in love with red beans and rice. When I was shopping at the French Market, an older Cajun man said the best recipe was on the French Market bag. So I bought some stuff at the market in order to receive the BAG. Clever marketing? Sure. But this is a good recipe. I’ve changed it throughout the years so it’s a mix of the “French Market” recipe and my own additions. So let’s do this.

It’s time to make Red Beans and RiceNew Orleans style.

(serves 10 or in reality 14)

1 tablespoon olive oil (original recipe calls for shortening – you do you.)
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green or red bell pepper, chopped
8 cups water
1 pound dried red beans
1 smoked ham hock
1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 pound of chorizo or Alligator Sausage (I use chorizo, but again – you do you.)
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning – not the same as Cajun seasoning – FYI
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried sage
Several dashes of hot pepper sauce
3 cups cooked white rice

Directions
Step 1
Melt oil/ shortening in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, garlic, and bell pepper and a dash of salt in hot oil until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 2
Combine water, red beans, and ham hock in a large pot; bring to a boil. Stir onion mixture into the water; add smoked sausage and celery to the boiling water; return to a boil. Stir bay leaves, Creole seasoning, thyme, and sage into the boiling water. Reduce heat to low, place a cover on the pot, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 5 hours.

Step 3
Remove and discard ham hock and bay leaves; stir in hot pepper sauce and serve over white rice.

Step 4

Listen to this while you eat:

Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band at Louisiana Cajun Zydeco

Katie Baldwin has a secret life. During the day she is a mild-mannered researcher at a prestigious University. By night she writes fantastical tales of romance and mystery. When she is not pacing her home working out dialogue in her mind, she is baking scones and working out dialogue in her mind. Aside from writing, she has a ferocious passion for the Green Bay Packers, Nutella, and her MinPin/Chihuahua mix dog/baby, Marley. She can be found on twitter waxing eloquently about all of her passions. Go Pack Go! Twitter @katiebwrites https://www.facebook.com/katie.baldwin.372661

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