As the weather get colder and the days get shorter all I want to do is cozy up to the couch eat something hot and comforting and watch the fire dance in the fireplace. Since I live in Houston the weather here is mostly on and off as far as cold day so when it is cold I like to make a warm meal that fills the soul with good feelings. This time I made a home favorite...Red Beans and Rice. Above you will find the ingredients for this and below you will find a picture of all I used.
The best thing about this meal is I could use a crock pot and let it cook without any fuss. The other best thing about crock pots is the crock pot liners!! No more soaking for this woman!
One thing I did forget to mention about cooking this is you have to soak the beans overnight like below.
So just pull out our crock pot and line.
Next cut of the onion and pepper
Next just throw everything into the pot. First the beans, then the veggies, lastly the spices.
Stir and set to cook on low for as little as 4 hours. As I said before I like to cook mine all day but if you don't want to you can cook it for the afternoon or morning for lunch time.
The last hour the beans are cooking you should cook the sausage. I use andouille because it is a little spicy and that's what I am used to.
The lat step to this process is smashing some of the beans to add thickness to your brew. I just took a regular potato smasher but sometimes people like to make it quicker and use a blender. You just make sure it comes out looking like refried beans.
Put the sausage and mashed beans into the pot and stir.
Look how yummy!
Now just make your rice and you are all set.
One secret of mine is to put some ketchup in it at the end.
Enjoy!
