African Red Beans Recipes

AROMATIC AFRICAN RED BEANS

Steps:

• Pick through beans to remove any bad ones. Soak in plenty of water, overnight if possible (about 6 hours minimum). Don't add salt at this stage, it will only make the beans tough.
• Ready to cook - drain and rinse the beans thoroughly then place them in a large pot with the 8 cups of fresh water, the onion, celery, and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Cook over low heat for about an hour or until the beans are tender.
• Stir and mash beans against side of pan, leaving some whole.
• Add green pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme and seasonings to taste. Cook uncovered over low heat until almost creamy for about 20 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves before serving over some hot cooked brown rice.

AFRICAN RED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in 2 quarts of water. OR you could quick soak them by putting the beans into a heavy pot and cover with 2 quarts of water, bring to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the beans soak, uncovered for 1 hour.
• Bring the pot of soaked beans to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add 1/4 C of the onion and simmer, partly covered, about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain the beans and set them aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking. Saute the remaining cup of onions until soft and translucent but not brown. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, cayenne pepper, white pepper and salt. Stirring frequently, simmer the mixture until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the beans and cook, uncovered, for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Saute garlic, onion, celery, and bell pepper until tender. Stir in kidney beans, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Reduce heat to low and let mixture simmer slowly while you cook the rice.
• Bring the chicken stock to a boil and stir in rice and butter. Return to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes without removing the lid. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Fold rice and beans gently together and transfer to a serving dish. Serve garnished with cilantro.

AUTHENTIC NEW ORLEANS RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Melt shortening in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, garlic, and bell pepper in hot shortening until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Combine water, red beans, and ham hock in a large pot; bring to a boil. Stir onion mixture into the water; add smoked sausage and celery to the boiling water; return to a boil. Stir bay leaves, Creole seasoning, thyme, and sage into the boiling water. Reduce heat to low, place a cover on the pot, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 5 hours.
• Remove and discard ham hock and bay leaves; stir in hot pepper sauce and serve over white rice.

RED BEANS

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, puree onion, bell pepper, garlic, cilantro, and annatto powder. Set mixture aside.
• Heat a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Pour in olive oil and saute ham with pureed mixture for 10 minutes, until browned. Mix in beans, potatoes, pumpkin, water, and salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for approximately 25 minutes, until mixture thickens and potatoes and pumpkin are tender.