Red Beans and Rice. it’s simple, hearty, deliciousness. and it makes me think of this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stGYYRtpqx8&feature=fvwrel
the last time i followed a recipe i felt that the finished product was bland, and not saucy enough to stand alone over rice. it was more of a burrito filling. so instead of using any recipes, i just ad-libbed based on what i was craving, and made it saucy as hell! i served this over brown basmati with more of the amazing corn muffins i made last week. i also attempted to make tofu sour cream, but ended up with lemony tofu dip (dammit!) so i ad-libbed as well with paprika, garlic & onion powders, and nutritional yeast to make some sort of cheddar sauce. it’s tasty, but i’d either skip it next time, or make cashew cheese sauce to go that route. or i guess i could see if there’s a healthier alternative to tofutti on the market, but i rarely ever need that sort of thing. you know?
My Not So Red Beans and Rice
makes a ton, so feel free to halve it
2 medium red onions, small dice
1 orange bell pepper, ribs removed, diced
1 jalapeño, halved and sliced including seeds (or de-seed, whatever you prefer)
2 large cloves garlic, minced, or about 1 tbs
1 tbs gluten free soy sauce
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground mexican oregano
1 1/2 tsp corriander
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
roughly 4 cups vegetable stock mixed with 1 1/2 tbs cornstarch
roughly 2 quarts (about 8 cups) mixed beans, or red beans
rice, for serving
get out a large, heavy bottomed dutch oven or skillet with high walls. add a few tablespoons of olive oil and heat. add the onions, and cook them down until browned and soft, about 8-10 minutes. add the bell pepper, and cook until soft. add the jalapeño and the garlic and cook until fragrant. add the soy sauce to deglaze. add the stock and the dry spices and bring to a low boil. simmer until the sauce thickens somewhat- it won’t be thick like a gravy, but it will be ‘saucy’. add the beans and continue to simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. add the lemon juice, and check for seasonings. serve over rice with your favorite hot sauce, or aforementioned creamy condiments.

