Best Lighter Cajun Red Beans And Rice Recipes

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.

CAJUN-STYLE RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add in onions, garlic green bell pepper and crushed chili flakes; saute until veggies are soft (about 8 minutes).
• Sprinkle with chili powder and paprika, cook about 1 minute.
• Add in tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes and hot sauce (if using) season with salt and add in sugar to taste if needed.
• Add in beans, cooked ground beef and bacon if using; mix to combine and simmer for about 1 hour.
• Serve mixed or over rice topped with a dollup of sour cream if desired.

CAJUN RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Place kidney beans in large pot. Add enough water to pot to cover beans by 2 inches. Bring to boil. Remove pot from heat. Cover and let beans stand 1 hour to soften. Drain. Return beans to same pot. Add 7 cups water and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain beans, reserving 2 cups of cooking liquid.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups onions and saute' until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add sausage, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and saute' until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in beans, reserved 2 cups cooking liquid, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Reduce heat to low; simmer until liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 3/4 cups water, rice, butter, bay leaf, thyme, and remaining 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered 10 minutes.
• Spoon kidney beans into bowls. Top with rice and serve.

CAJUN RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Cajun seasoning mixture ingredients. Just mix all ingredients together well. Set aside. May be stored in a ziplock or airtight container for several weeks.
• In a large pot, add 1 tbsp of oil. Add ham and bacon dices and sauté until they are browned. Remove from pot and set aside.
• In pot, add remaining oil and add onion, green pepper, garlic, celery and stir well. Sauté mixture until veggies are limp and cooked. About 8 minutes.
• Add kidney beans, bay leaves, thyme, sage, parsley and Cajun spices. Mix well together.
• Add chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat, cover pot and simmer low for 30 minutes.
• Add rice, ham/bacon and bring mixture to boil. Lower heat to low, cover and simmer 20minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. ***Read directions on rice brand package and follow the cooking time on the package. Rice cooking times vary per brand, so it is best to follow the cooking time directions on the package you are using in this recipe. The Uncle Bens Rice I use states a simmer of 20 minutes as I state in this recipe.
• Serve.