What are some good recipes using red beans and rice?

Here are a couple of simple and delicious red beans and rice recipes for you to try:

Classic Red Beans and Rice:

Ingredients:

- 1 pound dried red beans, sorted and rinsed

- 6 cups water

- 1 ham hock or smoked turkey neck

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 1 large onion, chopped

- 2 green bell peppers, chopped

- 2 ribs of celery, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon dried thyme

- 1 teaspoon salt

- ½ teaspoon black pepper

- 2 cups long-grain white rice

- chopped green onions and parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the red beans and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about an hour, or until the beans are tender.

2. Remove the ham hock or turkey neck from the pot, let it cool slightly, then shred the meat and set it aside.

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, peppers, and celery and cook until softened. Add the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook for a minute more.

4. Add the cooked beans, ham hock or turkey meat, and the vegetable mixture back into the pot with the bean broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the flavors have melded.

5. In a separate pot, cook the white rice according to the package instructions.

6. Serve the red beans and rice together, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley. Enjoy!

Cajun-Style Red Beans and Rice:

Ingredients:

- 1 pound dried red beans, sorted and rinsed

- 6 cups water

- 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 1 large onion, chopped

- 2 green bell peppers, chopped

- 2 ribs of celery, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon dried thyme

- 1 teaspoon salt

- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

- ¼ teaspoon black pepper

- 2 cups long-grain white rice

- chopped green onions and parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Same as the Classic Red Beans and Rice recipe, cook the red beans in 6 cups of water until they're tender.

2. While the beans are cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the andouille sausage and cook until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

3. Add the onion, peppers, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened. Add the garlic, thyme, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, and cook for a minute more.

4. Add the cooked beans, andouille sausage, and the vegetable mixture back into the pot with the bean broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the flavors have melded.

5. Cook the white rice according to the package instructions.

6. Serve the red beans and rice together, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley. Enjoy!

These recipes offer variations on the classic dish, exploring both classic and Cajun-style flavors. Enjoy!