Red Beans & Rice |
Louisiana Red Beans (© Photographer: Diana Lundin | Agency: Dreamstime.com)
Celebrated in story and song, Red Beans & Rice is a dish that’s grown to legendary status. Below is an authentic New Orleans recipe, presented exactly as we learned it from Chef-Instructor Ann Rossi at a class called “Taste of New Orleans” at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan.
Chef Rossi was well-schooled when it came to preparing the Cajun and Creole specialties that make dining in the Big Easy so unique. For a time she cooked at New Orleans’ famous Commander’s Palace Restaurant, "the Jewel of the Garden District”. We were fortunate to learn this recipe from her and we're pleased to share it with you.
Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulet!
Ingredients for 6-8 Servings
• 1 Ham Bone (preferably from Sunday dinner) or 3 Small Ham Hocks
• 1 Bag Dry Red Kidney Beans
• 3-4 Bay Leaves
• 2 Tablespoons Crisco Shortening
• 6 Celery Stalks, Diced Medium
• 1 Large Spanish Onion, Diced Medium
• 1 Bunch Scallions, Diced Medium, (White & Green Parts)
• 3 Green Peppers, Diced Medium
• 1 Tablespoon Dried Thyme Leaves
• 3/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• Salt to Taste
Preparation
1. First clean and pick beans and rinse.
2. Place into large pot with ham hocks or ham bone and bay leaves.
3. Cover with approximately 6 cups of water.
4. Bring to a boil, skim off top and bring to a rapid simmer
5. Cook an hour to an hour and half, stirring periodically.
6. At this point beans should start to be tender.
7. Sauté celery, onions, and peppers in Crisco until soft and add to beans.
8. Add in all dry ingredients and let simmer another 1/2 hour and check water content and seasonings.
9. Beans should be finishing with a little liquid — remove from heat.
10. Pull out ham hocks and let cool.
11. Remove meat from bones and stir into beans.
12. Serve over White Rice.
White Rice Ingredients
• 2 Cups Uncle Ben's or Carolina Rice
• 3 Cups Water
• 2 Bay Leaves
White Rice Preparation
1. Place all ingredients into pot.
2. Stir together.
3. Cover and cook over medium heat about 8-10 minutes until rice is cooked.
4. Fluff and serve with red beans.
If you're near NYC & would like to see a great selection of cooking classes go to: Institute of Culinary Education
