Monday Menu: Red Beans and Rice

Lent begins this week, which means Mardi Gras! And I’ve been listening to Zydeco music for weeks now, chasing away the winter blues.

It also means time for some spicy goodness, Cajun chicken with mashed potatoes and spicy sausage gravy, and Jambalaya.

And, of course, some rice and beans with cornbread. I’ve been told, real cornbread doesn’t have sugar in it. To each his own, I’ll take mine with sugar, smothered in maple syrup and butter.

On the board tonight:

1. Washday Beans & Rice
2. Sliced Steamed Zucchini
3. Corn Bread
4. Blueberries & Raspberries w/whip cream

Washday Beans & Rice

• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 14oz can red kidney bean
• 4 links Italian or Andouille sausage (sweet or spicy) – slice each link into 4 pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp to 1 tbsp Cajun Creole Seasoning (start with teaspoon and work your way up to taste)
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 large tomato diced (or 14 oz can)

2-quart saucepan and skillet

Combine rice with water & chicken broth in a saucepan, cover. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cook until all the liquid is absorbed (about 20 minutes).

Over medium-high, heat oil in skillet; add onions, celery, green pepper & sausage, cook until sausage is done in the center.

Add sausage, beans, seasoning and tomatoes together into the saucepan. Keep the heat low and let cook 10 minutes to let flavors blend.  You can add shredded, cooked pork to the beans if desired.

Cornbread

There are many variations on cornbread, this one is pretty basic.

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup butter or oil
• 1 large bowl

9×9 baking dish, greased

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, add cornmeal, mix well. Add eggs, milk and oil.

Beat with mixer until smooth (do not over beat).

Pour into baking dish and bake at 425° for 20-25 minutes. Should be light brown on top and a toothpick should come out clean.