New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and rice on Monday are a New Orleans tradition. This was always "wash day" for the lady of the house. With mounds of laundry to do, she needed something for dinner that required little attention. Beans were put on in the morning, simmered all day and a hearty meal was placed on the table that evening.

My mother, without a doubt, made the best red beans I have ever eaten...and I've eaten a lot. Her fluffy rice and cornbread were to die for. How I miss my mother's cooking.

I love to use my crockpot so here's a slightly different method than my mother used:

Ingredients
1 lb dried kidney beans (we use Camellia which is a pinker bean)
Ham, diced (or a ham hock if you're having sausage)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon black pepper, fresh ground
1 tablespoon powdered chicken stock
1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder
1 teaspoon liquid smoke

3 bay leaves
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 -2 tablespoon salt, to taste
1 -2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (such as Tony Chachere)
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 lb smoked sausage (we use Turkey sausage), sliced in half lengthwise and then slice

1. Wash beans, looking for any small stones.

2. Place beans in stockpot, cover beans with water and soak overnight. Beans will expand so use plenty of water.


3. Pour water off of beans and place beans in crockpot. Add ham, black pepper, chicken stock powder, chopped garlic, bay leaves, Chipotle powder and liquid smoke.
 
4. Add water to cover beans by about 1/2". You want them nice and creamy. More water can be added later if necessary.

5. Saute onions and bell pepper in butter and add to pot.

6. Cover and place crockpot on either low for 8 hours or high for 3-5 hours and then reduce to low.


7. You want to cook the beans until they can be mashed with a spoon.


8. There are several ways to thicken beans. My preference is to remove about a cup of beans, mash them with a spoon and add back to to the pot.


9. You can also thicken with cornstarch mixed with a little water. Add and allow to cook until thickened.


10. Cook your rice, brown sausage and salt beans to taste....you just really can't go wrong here


11. Put your rice in a bowl, place red beans over rice. Serve the sausage on the side.
Make sure you have a bottle of hot sauce on the table, sliced onions or green onions...and hot buttered cornbread. I just detest sweet cornbread...personal preference. I use a mix (Gladiola White Cornbread mix) but add different ingredients to my cornbread. I'll post that one day.

 Serve with sweet iced tea and you're a Southerner for sure!

I usually post on these "parties"

Monday Made with Love
Mouthwatering Monday
Homemaker Monday
Hunk of Meat Monday
Monday Melt in your Mouth
Delectable Tuesday
Tuesday Time Out
Dr. Laura Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday 
Tuesday to Do  
Made From Scratch Tuesday
Totally Tasty Tuesday
These Chicks Cooked
 Wow Us Wednesday
What I Whipped up Wed
Whatever Goes Wed
Wed Share the Wealth

Read more ...

A Southern Belle and New Orleans

Tablescapes are so much fun to put together. Today, we're strolling down the French Quarter. It's a little warm/HOT but that's part of the charm of the Quarter. I actually spent my teenage years living on the Westbank of New Orleans. I have so many wonderful memories of those years.

Since I warned you it would be hot, we're going to sit outside. Now don't whine. We have a ceiling fan. You will  be okay.

My inspiration piece is my New Orleans vintage tablecloth. I just love it! I bought it on eBay many years ago.

The table cloth is square and has New Orleans landmarks all around the edges. There is even a Dixie Land band!

I found the crab plates at Marshall's quite a while ago. There were only 3 and I thought"well, I'll find some more". No, none, nowhere...even checked eBay. I love the plate and bowl combo and use them on a regular basis just for us. You saw the chips didn't you?

The plates are by April Cornell for Silvestri.

I've used a variety of Louisiana items such as the Dixie Sampler, a Magnolia arrangement, a southern belle planter and Fleur-de-lis.

I found this Dixieland cross-stitch sampler at a local antique mall for just a few dollars. I knew I would use it somewhere...someday. Someone put in a lot of work on this. Notice I am even using a fleur-de-lis plate holder. As my grandmother would say...Well, lah de dah.

The rose ceramic napkin holders were a gift I had given to my mother. I love using her things now. These even have a few chips but that makes them more precious because she loved to use them.

I use my vintage Southern Belle planter in a lot of settings. If you're going to be a Southern Belle, you have to have a planter. I think that's a rule.

Sweet iced tea is served in a great-aunt's Depression glass Iridized Iris & Herringbone pitcher. Take a look at the glasses. See the Southern Belle scenes?

While I was playing slaving over this arrangement, I decided to try a different look. A little lighter? I cut some flowers and put them in a syrup pitcher, brought in a candle and a miniature ceramic figurine. I also used a metal pineapple since it is the sign of hospitality.  I might like this better...what about you?

I bought the sweet little butter dish one one of our antiquing vacation trips. I love the small size. It will hold about 1/2 of a stick of butter. You have to have butter for your cornbread.

I believe he is singing to his sweetheart, Oh Susannah 
"I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,
I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see

After all of these pictures, were you wondering if Mr. Dumpling ever had Supper (it is Supper here)? Well, of course he did. And what could be more Southern than Red Beans w/Ham, Rice, Cornbread and sweet Iced Tea!!! I'll be posting the recipe next week.

If you decide you like my blog and want to "Follow Me", I would be just thrilled. Drop me a line to let me know. I will always "Follow You" too!

Sharing with:

Tablescape Thursday
Vintage Thingie Thursday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Boost My Blog Friday
Flaunt It Friday 
Show and Tell Friday 
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Read more ...