Red Beans and Rice

My neighbor Lorraine--she's such a great neighbor; you've read about her generosity in past posts--gave me a package of ham hocks.  I thought I'd use them in split pea soup, but someone mentioned red beans and rice.  I thought, why not.  Thus began my Internet Pinterest exploration for good recipes, of which I combined two into my own, and here it is.  As usual, the recipe's at the end.

You'll notice the sausage--not the ham hocks--in the pictures here.  I didn't take pictures until I knew the recipe was a keeper.  So, after the the guys' applause and general adulation of my amazing cooking abilities, and after I made the recipe a second time, I took pictures.  And this time, I used organic chicken sausage because it's what I had.

Attention:  If you don't eat meat, or use it sparingly, simply remove the meat portion of this recipe!  It's great meatless, too.

To spice things up, I add some Cajun seasoning, because, after all, this recipe originates from Louisiana Cajun territory.  I love Penzey's Spices, and their spice blends.

Let me tell you something, though.  This little jar of yumminess costs almost eight dollars.  Yikes!  I bought it because I needed it, but you'll be seeing my homemade version soon, because there ain't no way I'm spending that kind of money again on something I can make myself with ingredients I already have in my pantry.

This sure is some awesome seasoning, despite the price!

This recipe also involves soaking dry beans overnight, then simmering them with all the added stuff for 2-3 hours.  All those flavors are gettin' happy, mixin' and minglin' together all that time--no way it's not going to be delicious!

As promised, here it is.  Enjoy!

Red Beans and Rice

3 cups dry red beans (about a pound)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 cups chopped green pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic to your taste)
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley (about 3 teaspoons dry)
1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (I use Braggs--the really good stuff!)
Tabasco sauce to taste, maybe 5-6 shakes

Sort and rinse beans.  Place in large (six-quart) stock pot and cover with cold water; soak overnight or longer.  Drain beans and set aside.

In the stock pot, sauté chopped onion and celery in a little butter (or oil, or rendered pork lard) until translucent.  Add green pepper and sauté a few more minutes, then add the garlic and sauté a minute or so longer.  Add the beans back to the pot, then add all the remaining ingredients except the Tabasco sauce.  Cover with water, bring to a boil, replace the lid, and simmer about three hours or so until the beans are tender.

I stir this every now and then throughout the cooking process, and about 30 minutes before I deem it ready, I check the liquid.  My guys don't like it too soupy, so if it's that way, I remove the lid for the last 30 minutes (turn the heat up a bit to keep it at a simmer).  If at any point there's not enough water, add some boiling water in.  The hot water will help keep everything simmering, so that you don't have to turn the heat up to bring it back to a simmer.

Before serving, add the Tabasco, stirring in.

We love this served with rice, white or brown.

The last time I placed an order with our farmers (love them and their pasture-raised food!!), I ordered ham hocks--two packages.  They're less expensive than other meats, they're delicious, and I needed them because we make this recipe on a regular basis now.  Yum!

Update:  I used my farmers' ham hocks for this recipe, and I gotta tell ya.  That was the best bowl of red beans and rice I've made yet!

Back to life,
Christine

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Sweet Potato and Quinoa Burgers

Remember--the recipe is at the end.  :)

I found this recipe on Pinterest, and was immediately intrigued.  With a few very minor modifications, I made these "cakes," which are burgers, in my opinion, hence the name change.  Don't they look fabulous?  I think so, too.

One note about pepper. The original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.  Whoa, Nelly!  Let me just say, you've never had pepper until you've had freshly ground pepper.  You use so much less of it than pre-ground pepper, and it is so much more aromatic and spicy.

Store-bought pre-ground pepper has been sitting in jars, and it takes a lot to achieve that nice zip that pepper gives.  See, as soon as you grind a peppercorn, it releases its full flavor; as it sits on the store shelf, it loses all its zest and pep.  Try some on your next corn on the cob--wow.

Trust me on this--you need to buy a decent pepper mill and some good quality peppercorns.  White, black, red, telicherry, mixed--you'll become a pepper gourmet and never go back.  Just a few cranks of the pepper mill will produce more seasoning than half a teaspoon of store-bought, pre-ground black powder pepper-like substance.  Hope that doesn't sound snobby, but it's true.  Hope someday you'll thank me for it.  :)

Here's the recipe, modified the way I like it.

Quinoa & Sweet Potato Burgers
Serves four

one medium sweet potato (~6 oz.), peeled and chopped
1/2 red, yellow, or white onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
fresh pepper (3-4 cranks of your pepper mill)
two cloves garlic, minced
one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or other fat for frying--I used rendered pork lard!)

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
two tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
two tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt (yes--it's in here a second time!)
one large egg, lightly beaten

This recipe comes together quickly if you prep everything first--chop, dice, measure the ingredients into prep bowls, etc.  Now on to the nitty-gritty.

Heat a large skillet (you'll use it again to cook the burgers) on medium-low heat and add the olive oil or other fat.  Add in the sweet potato, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper.  Stir, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until potato is soft.  Remove lid and stir in garlic, and cook for an additional 30 seconds or so.

Mash the sweet potato a bit with a potato masher, and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.  Let cool, since you'll be using your hands; I put my bowl in the fridge for ten minutes.  Add the quinoa, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and remaining salt (add more pepper, too, if you like!), and mix a little.  Then, add in egg and mix it all up just like you're making hamburger meat.  Use your hands to shape four patties.

Heat the skillet again to a medium heat and add a little fat--olive oil or pork lard work great.  Gently place the burgers onto the pan and cook about three or four minutes per side, or until they're golden brown.  Flip them carefully!

We have eaten these burgers plain, with blackberry salsa (fresh blackberries, a little cilantro and lime juice, and chopped jalapeno and minced onion, all to your taste), or even on a bun.  Fernando put mustard on his, and Jacob ate his burger with cheddar cheese.  Try it different ways and see what you like best!

Back to life,
Christine

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