rice and red beans

various dates

Rice and red beans is a Louisiana / Cajun dish where rice is cooked with red beans and the typical Cajun spice mix which turns the sauce dark brown.

The pre-packaged version by chef Kaitlin used to be my favorite item at the Dollartree store until they stopped carrying it. The only one I can still find in this area is Zatarain's, but that one has a different spice mix and I don't like it nearly as well.

a. boiled rice

date

Boiling rice is easy, but you do need to read the instructions on the package for the required amount of water and the recommended cooking time. Parboiled rice can be as short as 5 minutes, regular rice as much as 30 minutes.

I usually try to use the correct amount of water, so that there is no liquid left by the time the rice is fully cooked. It is possible to use extra liquid, e.g. if you want to use the rice broth as a base for sauce.

When using boil-in-a-bag rice, use enough water to fully submerge the bag. Just remember: the more water you use, the more flavor you'll be pouring down the drain.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2-3 servings:

1 cup rice
2-3 cups water
S&P, spices of your choice

Directions

internet pictures

Pic1: pour water
Pic2: add rice
Pic3: simmer

internet pictures

Pic4: strain
Pic5: cover, rest
Pic6: fluff

Rinse the rice to remove dust and dirt.
Read the directions on the rice packaging to get the relative proportions of rice and water and recommended cooking time.
Optional:
- Fry the rice in hot oil before cooking.
- Soak the rice for 30 minutes before cooking.
- I don't usually do either.
Add rice to cold water. Add S&P, spices to taste.
Add other ingredients as desired.
If I add other ingredients like vegetables, seafood, I prefer to use a large-diameter pan for even cooking.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer over low heat until nearly all the water has been absorbed.
IMPORTANT: once the water is underneath the top level of rice, do not stir anymore.
Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the remainder of the water.
If there is too much water left, use a strainer to remove the excess.
Fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve and enjoy.

b. rice and red beans

Cooking method is the same as above if you use a pre-packaged mix where the beans have been parboiled.

If you prepare this from scratch, better cook the beans separately to be sure they're fully cooked without overcooking your rice.

2019-05-17 a.o.

Pic7: cooking
Pic8: with pork loin
Pic9: with tuna steaks

b. rice and red beans

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org