Healthy New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

“Sort” the beans—this is checking carefully through the beans for rocks, little clumps of dirt and funky beans. Rinse the beans well in a colander. Add sorted and rinsed red beans to a 10-quart pot. Add approximately 8 cups water and cover the pot. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Then, keeping the pot covered, remove it from heat and set aside for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, chop onion and celery. Slice sausage. Measure thyme, Cajun spice mix and minced garlic. Count out bay leaves. Set aside all ingredients until beans have soaked for 1 hour.

Then add all of the prepared ingredients (except the rice, which is for serving) plus the Flavor Boost packet into the pot of beans. Add enough water to cover everything. Put lid on pot. Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until liquid has thickened to desired consistency. A gravy-like consistency is the traditionally preferred thickness.

Serve beans over brown rice with ham steak and a green salad. Store remaining red beans in labeled (date and contents) 4-cup containers. These containers will make dinner for 4 people, 4 times. When reheating in microwave from the freezer, it may be necessary to add a little water.