I stumbled upon a beans with rice recipe that was so easy and yet SO GOOD it is what I would consider, company worthy.
I have been making beans with rice for years now primarily in the crock pot. I love how easy they are to prepare, how healthy they are for you, how CHEAP they are to feed a family, and how they smell heavenly cooking all day in the crock pot.
This recipe is considerably different to the beans I normally prepare but the taste is truly delicious.
3 cups dried small red beans (I use only half the beans and even then we have TOO much leftover*. I also don't just use red beans because I like a variety of beans so I use red, black, pinto, white, and kidney)
8 cups water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, chopped
8 cups fresh water
1-2 ham hocks
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tsp. salt
pinch of pepper
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 TBSP. parsley
1 bay leaf
1. Soak beans overnight in 8 cups of water. Drain. Place soaked beans in slow cooker with garlic, onion, and 8 cups fresh water, and ham hocks.
2. Cover. Cook on high 12-14 hours**.
3. Take ham hocks out of cooker and allow to cool. Remove meat from bones. Cut up and return to slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Cover. Cook on high 2-3 hours.
5. Serve over rice with dollop of sour cream.
My changes:
I don't measure out the water I use to soak my beans. I don't think it HAS to be 8 cups, but I make sure they are more than submerged.
I only half the beans and the water I use in the crock pot. Otherwise, I leave all the other ingredients the same.
I like to saute my onions and garlic a bit in olive oil for added flavor. Then, while I have the pan out I cook up some ground turkey to add during that last 2 hours. I also like to add some kind of vegetable like spinach or kale and I always use brown rice nowadays. Makes it a totally complete and healthy dinner!
I keep ham bones in my freezer specifically for these types of meals. However, if I don't have a ham bone I will use whatever bones I do have for my beans...turkey, pork, beef...it is all good. Personally, unless the ham is fresh I don't enjoy the "meat cut up" in the dish...it always seems to taste old and totally overcooked. I prefer my ground turkey instead.
Seriously, the sour cream makes this dish! Believe it or not, it is delicious!!
* I use the leftovers in burritos for either lunches or a totally different dinner and it uses those beans up and the kids love them!!
** I have cooked the beans for a good 8-9 hours and then an additional 2 hours and that seems to be adequate. But, you judge your own beans and crock pot and make a decision.
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