Southern-Style Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry Dried red beans
• 3 cups Water
• 4 oz Smoked sausage
• 1/2 medium Yellow onion
• 1/2 medium Green bell pepper
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Cooked white rice
• 1 tsp Hot sauce (optional)(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (10 minutes): Rinse the red beans. Dice the onion and bell pepper; mince the garlic. Slice the smoked sausage.

2. 2

   Cook beans (40 minutes): In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Add sausage, beans, and seasonings: Add sliced sausage, rinsed red beans, water, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.

4. 4

   Simmer until tender: Reduce heat to low and simmer 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the mixture thickens. Remove bay leaf.

5. 5

   Serve: Spoon red beans over cooked rice. Add hot sauce if desired and serve immediately.