I have been wanting to make some homemade Red Beans and Rice for a long time but when I looked in my cabinets, I had a bag of white beans that needed to be used so I made this with those instead. It was SO good. This made a ton so I was able to freeze two additional dinner portions to enjoy in the near future! Serve with a fresh green salad and some cornbread for a fantastic, down home comfort meal that is both nutritious and hearty.
Ingredients
1 bag dry white beans, rinsed, sorted and soaked overnight
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1 tsp dried thyme ( you could also use a few fresh sprigs instead if you have it)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons ham boullion (I used Better than Boullion)
1 tablespoon cavender’s salt free seasoning (or a cajun seasoning if desired)
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 lb smoked sausage (use turkey for lower fat)
4 cups cooked brown rice
Toppings (optional)
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic
Rinse, sort and soak beans in cold water overnight. The next morning, place drained beans through pepper in a slow cooker, covering with enough water to rise 1 inch about the beans. Cook on low 8 hrs. Once beans are cooked, prepare rice as directed on package and stir cooked rice into beans. At this point you are going to want to taste the bean mixture, adding in an extra teaspoon of ham boullion at a time until desired smoky/salty flavor is achieved. In a large skillet brown smoked sausage (adding in the additional pepper, onion and garlic if desired). Serve rice and beans topped with sausage and enjoy!
Serves: 12
Calories: 250, Fat 4.5, Fiber 5.7 grams, Protein 14.6 Weight Watchers: 6 points plus
