MAMA MILLIE'S SPICY RED BEANS & RICE

Mama Millie's Spicy Red Beans & Rice image

I love all kind of cuisines, but Cajun and Mexican has got to be my all time favorites. Next to Seafood Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice is tops on my list. This is my made from scratch recipe that we absolutely love ! It's spicy, but you can tone it down by reducing the spices in it to suit your tastes. We like it spicy, hence the name. lol This feeds a crowd so for smaller families you may want to half the recipe. I usually can or freeze any leftovers for future meals, since it's just me and the hubs and I can't seem to make a meal for just two people to save my life. haha

Provided by Millie Johnson @BISCUITMAKR

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

RED BEANS
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium bell pepper, diced
2-3 tablespoon(s) bacon grease * may use butter or oil
2 pound(s) andouille sausage
1 1/2 pound(s) dry kidney beans
1 large bay leaves, dried
2 tablespoon(s) cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon(s) red pepper flakes *may omit or reduce to taste
1/2 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper * may omit or reduce to taste
1/2 teaspoon(s) powdered roasted garlic * regular garlic powder is fine, too
4-5 quart(s) water
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup water and 2 tbsp corn starch * optional
RICE
3 cup(s) water
1 1/2 cup(s) rice
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1 teaspoon(s) butter

Steps:

Sort through beans to remove the bad ones and any tiny rocks or debris.
Put sorted beans into a colander and hold under the faucet and wash beans thoroughly with cold water. Set aside.
Heat a large pot (at least a 6 quart) and add 2 tbsp. bacon grease (or oil) then add diced onion and bell pepper. Sautee till onions are translucent then remove from pot.
While onions & peppers are sautéing cut up sausage. I like to cut in half lengthwise then slice.
Add 1 tbsp. bacon grease to pot then the sausage. Fry on med heat for about 5 minutes.
Add bay leaf, stir for a few seconds then add water, the sautéed pepper & onion, beans and the spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, then cover and simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often. You want the beans to be soft. If you need to add more water, do so. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed before serving. * Remove bay leaf before serving.
Once beans are done, if the bean juice is too thin just bring beans back up to a fast boil. In a small bowl add 1/4 cup cold water with about 2 tbsp. cornstarch stirred into it and poured this slurry into the boiling beans while stirring. Boil for 20 seconds and turn off heat.
Rice In medium pot add 3 cups water, the salt and butter. Bring to a boil then add 1 1/2 cups rice and return to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook times vary with rice so follow directions on package. Mine cooks for 20 minutes then I turn heat off and leave covered for 5 minutes. fluff rice. Put 1/2 cup rice in bowl then add the beans and enjoy !