#ShareaSpoon - Spooning! Red Beans n' Rice

 

<img src="http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu81/Adrienzgirl/Share%20a%20Spoon%20Warm%20the%20Heart/ShareaSpoon5.jpg" border="0" alt="Think Tank Momma"></a>
Share a Spoon
"SPOONING"

Just ignore the sad looking, poor excuse for biscuits.

This week's theme is so fun.  Anything you eat with a spoon!  I told you Smackers, initially my mind went directly to kiddie desserts, puddin' and jello and the like.  I was not impressed.  Texture is an issue for me.  I like things that crunch.  Mouth feel is important in many dishes whether you have issues or not.
After I hemmed and hawed over the desserts it occurred to my hyper focused ADD brain that DUH! soups are eaten with a spoon!  So, today I am going to share my recipe for red beans and rice.  I have pictures of it, and I looked to see if I had shared it previously and I didn't see it in the archives.  So......if I did share this previously....you're getting it again.
Red Beans n' Rice with Andouille Sausage
1 bag red beans soaked over night1 large onion1 green bell pepper1 jalapeno pepper3 ribs celery3-4 sprigs thyme1 box (4 cups) chicken stock2 links Andouille sausagewaterrice
Soak red beans overnight.  Rinse and drain.
In a large soup pot over medium high heat with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, saute chopped onion, celery, green pepper, jalapeno and thyme sprigs until just softened.  Add sliced sausage and saute for a few minutes.
Pour in red beans and stir well.  Add chicken stock and 2 cups of water.  Cook over medium heat until beans are tender (about 45 minutes).
If the liquid gets cooked down too much add more water as needed.
Once beans are tender, use a potato masher and smash about 1/3 of the mixture to thicken the mix (this is preference).  Remove the stems of the thyme (the leaves will have fallen off the stems during cooking process).  Season with salt and pepper.
Serve over prepared rice.  
Cook's notes:  This is a spicy dish.  If you are sensitive to heat, leave the jalapeno out.  The Andouille sausage is spicy on it's own and will give a gentle heat to the red beans without the jalapeno.
Alrighty Smackers, that's my lip smackin' goodness for the day!  It's your turn to SHARE what you like to eat with a spoon!