Classic Red Beans & Rice
Slow-simmered with chicken stock, herbs and spices, these luscious red beans get an extra-flavorful kick from Andouille sausage.
Ingredients:
1 pound Rosita red beans
1 pound Andouille sausage, sautéed and sliced
¼ cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 sweet red peppers, seeded and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
½ cup celery, cut into ¼-inch cubes
4 cups chicken stock, plus 2 cups water
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if desired)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
¼ teaspoon dried sage
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley
Cooked long-grain jasmine rice, for serving
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Rinse and sort beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, red pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Rinse soaked beans, then transfer to a large pot with 4 cups chicken stock and 2 cups water. Stir sautéed vegetables into beans. Season with cayenne pepper (if using), paprika, thyme, sage, bay leaf and parsley. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently for 2½ hours until the beans are just tender.
3. Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the rice. Once the beans and sausage mixture is ready, serve them over the steamed jasmine rice.
Citrus-Beet Slaw
A refreshing, spring take on classic coleslaw!
Ingredients:
3 medium oranges
1 large bunch baby red beets, peeled and shredded
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
Fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Method:
1. Using a fine grater, grate the zest from one of the oranges. Juice two of the oranges and then peel, seed and dice the remaining orange.
2. In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and zest, olive oil and then the lemon juice and zest. Whisk in the salt and set aside.
3. In a salad bowl, combine the diced oranges with the shredded beets. Drizzle with the dressing, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, tossing the salad a few times as it chills. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed; garnish with the parsley before serving.
Braised Collard Greens
These tender greens are a great side dish.
Ingredients:
1 pound braising greens, such as this week’s Collard greens, or Swiss chard or kale
½ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the greens and 1 teaspoon salt.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add water, and steam, covered, until greens are just tender and water evaporates, about 10 minutes. If greens are ready but there is still water in the pan, raise heat to medium-high, and cook, uncovered, until completely evaporated.
