VEG(ETARI)AN RED BEANS AND RICE

When asked to provide a healthy, vegetarian, or vegan recipe, nothing came to mind faster than a pot of red beans. While not a vegetarian myself, I do have a few vegetarian friends and even some who are aspiring vegans. So I've spent some time making meatless dishes. While I wouldn't say this version of red beans is better than the meat-lover's version with ham or sausage, it's certainly a decent substitution and a guilt-free meal.


VEG(ETARI)AN RED BEANS AND RICE
• 1/2 pound dried red beans, rinsed and sorted over
• 1 tablespoon oil or butter
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 dash of hot sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 5 cups vegetable stock (homemade and unsalted, or if bought, reduced-sodium) or water
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green onion (optional)
• cooked white (or brown) rice


Put the beans in bowl and cover with water by at least an inch. Soak six hours or overnight. Drain.

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the onions, celery, and bell peppers. Season them with a pinch of salt, a grind of black pepper, a pinch of Cayenne, and/or a shake or two of Tony Chachere’s. When the vegetables soften, add the bay leaves, parsley, thyme, and garlic. After a minute or two, add the beans, stock or water, and hot sauce. Stir and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat until the mixture simmers and cook, uncovered, for two hours. The beans should soften and the "soup" should thicken.

About half an hour before eating, use a sturdy spoon or masher and mash a third or a quarter of the beans in the pot. Add the liquid smoke if desired. Simmer until the beans soften and the mixture thickens. Remove the bay leaves before serving the beans and stir in the two tablespoons of butter to make the beans creamier if desired.

Serve over white rice, or if feeling particularly health-conscious, over brown rice. (Vegans can omit the butter entirely from the recipe.) Garnish with green onions or parsley if desired. Or if you're feeling lazy, just put the pot of beans and the pot of rice out and let your family/friends serve themselves. As always, have the bottle of hot sauce and the shaker of Tony’s handy.