Red Beans

Name: Red Beans
Ingredients: 1 lb dried red beans, sorted, rinsed and quick soaked in 6 cups water; 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch slices; 1 whole yellow onion, chopped; 3 stalks celery, chopped; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 12 teaspoon kosher salt; 12 teaspoon black pepper; 14 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 3 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 ham hock; 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into bite sized pieces, browned in a skillet, for garnish; 4 green onions, chopped, for garnish; 1 whole avocado, chopped, for garnish

16 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1 lb dried red beans, sorted, rinsed and quick soaked in 6 cups water
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 whole yellow onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
12 teaspoon kosher salt
12 teaspoon black pepper
14 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 ham hock
1 lb smoked sausage, cut into bite sized pieces, browned in a skillet, for garnish
4 green onions, chopped, for garnish
1 whole avocado, chopped, for garnish

Directions

1

Quick soak the beans (I never remember to soak them the night before so I always quick soak).
2

Put them in hot water, bring it to a boil for 2 minutes then cover, turn off the heat and let them sit for an hour.
3

While the beans are soaking, place the bacon in a large pot or dutch oven and cook over medium low heat until the fat renders out and the edges are brown.
4

Add onions, celery and bell pepper - cook until translucent.
5

Add garlic and cook for 1 minute then add salt, pepper, cayenne, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, ham hock, beans and soaking water.
6

Bring beans to a boil then reduce and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours or until beans start to thicken and are tender.
7

If you like your beans thick you can smash some of them with a potato masher or break them up with a stick blender.
8

Serve over brown rice.