| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 600 | 20g | 6g | 75g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 15g | 35g | 1.2g |
There’s a distinct warmth, a homely kind of comfort that envelopes you when you bite into a bowlful of Cajun-Style Red Beans with Filé Sausage. This dish plays out an orchestra of flavours in your mouth, each ingredient playing its part to perfection. I cannot help but fall in love with it every single time.
The Story Behind the Love
Though my own culinary roots hail from Italian-American soil, this recipe brings forth my admiration for the global gourmet landscape. The recipe’s fusion of beans, rice, and sausage is really not so far from the heartiness of my own family’s Italian recipes. It’s comforting, filling, and remarkably flavoursome. It’s like a hug from the inside, reminding me of meals shared with family around the kitchen table in New Jersey.
Weaving Health with Taste
And it’s not just its comforting nature that makes the Cajun-Style Red Beans with Filé Sausage one of my favorites. The recipe also weaves in health benefits into its flavor narrative. The red kidney beans in the dish, for instance, are pregnant with proteins, vitamins, and fiber. The onion and garlic, besides offering a flavor base, are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Even the celery and bell pepper pitch in with their share of vitamins and minerals.
Perfect Pairings and Variations
I’ve found this recipe pairs exceptionally well with cornbread or a crusty baguette, the bread helping to soak up every last flavorful drop. While the recipe roots itself in the traditional Louisiana kitchen, you can play with its versatility. Try swapping the sausage for a meatless alternative for a vegetarian delight, or perhaps include other vegetables like okra or tomatoes. You could even serve it with Cajun Chicken Gumbo for a New Orleans feast right at home.
So, through each savory bite, the Cajun-Style Red Beans with Filé Sausage offers a comforting haven, reminds me of the joys of home-cooking and family traditions, and underscores my belief that healthy can indeed equal tasty. This is why I love this recipe so much. And I hope, it brings the same joy and comfort to your table.
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 1 pound filé sausage, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, cooked
Method
Step One
Rinse the kidney beans under cold water and remove any debris or stones if found. After rinsing, place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight.
Step Two
In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the filé sausage slices and cook until they are slightly browned. Remove them from the pot and set them aside for later.
Step Three
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, and chopped celery. Cook the vegetables until they become soft and the onions become translucent. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step Four
Drain the kidney beans and add them to the pot along with the cooked sausage slices. Add the water, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil.
Step Five
Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 2 hours. During this time, the beans will become soft and the flavors will meld together. You may need to stir the pot occasionally to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step Six
After two hours, uncover the pot and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to an hour, until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
Step Seven
Just before serving, stir in the fresh parsley and chopped green onions. Serve the Cajun-Style Red Beans with Filé Sausage over hot, cooked long-grain white rice.
