Chef John Folse's Red Beans and Rice Gumbo - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

Chef John Folse's Red Beans and Rice Gumbo

Red Beans and Rice Gumbo

PREP TIME: 1 Hour SERVES: 10-12

COMMENT:

In South Louisiana, we normally think of red beans as a "Monday" dish and always serve them over rice with a link of smoked sausage. This gumbo variation started out as a perfect solution to making use of leftover red beans and rice. Today, its a fall delicacy.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16-ounce can) Blue Runner New Orleans Red Beans

1 (10-12-ounce) can red kidney beans in water

1 cup cooked long grain rice

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup bacon fat

1/2 cup flour

1 cup onions, diced

1 cup celery, diced

 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced

1/4 cup garlic, minced

1 quart chicken stock or water

1 pound sugar cured ham, diced

1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced

1/2 cup green onions, sliced

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:

In a 7-quart cast iron pot, heat oil and bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add flour and, using a wire whisk, stir constantly until dark brown roux is achieved. Add onions, celery and bell peppers and saute 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Add garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, for an additional 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, blending well into the roux mixture. Add ham and smoked sausage and cook 3-5 minutes. Add Blue Runner beans, blending well into the stock. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce to simmer and cook 45 minutes. Add additional stock or water as necessary to maintain soup-like consistency. Add cooked kidney beans, rice , green onions and parsley. Season to taste using salt and pepper. Return to a low boil and serve immediately.