Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

1. 1
   prep

   Soak the beans overnight.

   Place dried red kidney beans in a large bowl and cover with plenty of cold water. Let soak at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

   TIPSoaking softens the beans and cuts down cooking time. If short on time, use the quick-soak method: boil 2 minutes, then let sit 1 hour off heat.
2. 2
   saute · ~6 min

   Brown the smoked sausage.

   1.Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.

   2.Add sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned on both sides (5-6 min).

   3.Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
3. 3
   saute · ~8 min

   Sauté the holy trinity.

   1.Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the same pot.

   2.Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are soft and onion is translucent (6-8 min).

   3.Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (1 min).

   TIPScrape up the browned bits from the sausage as the vegetables release their moisture — that's pure flavor.
4. 4
   mix · ~2 min

   Combine beans, seasonings, and water.

   1.Return the browned sausage to the pot.

   2.Add drained soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.

   3.Pour in 4 cups water and stir everything together.
5. 5
   simmer · ~110 min

   Simmer the beans until creamy and tender.

   1.Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.

   2.Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours.

   3.Stir occasionally and check tenderness — beans should be creamy and soft.

   4.If the pot looks dry, add a splash of water.

   TIPToward the end, smash a few beans against the side of the pot with your spoon to thicken the gravy naturally.
6. 6
   steam · ~20 min

   Cook the rice.

   1.In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil.

   2.Add rice, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low.

   3.Cook undisturbed for 15 minutes, then turn off heat and let stand covered 5 minutes.

   4.Fluff with a fork before serving.

   TIPDon't lift the lid while rice cooks — steam is what fluffs those grains.
7. 7
   assemble

   Spoon beans over rice and garnish.

   Remove bay leaves from the beans. Mound rice in shallow bowls, ladle red beans and sausage over the top, and scatter sliced green onions over everything.

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