Mardi Gras Rice Beans (Printable)
Colorful rice with spiced beans and vegetables inspired by Mardi Gras traditions.
# Ingredient List:
→ Rice
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Beans
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1 teaspoon salt
16 - 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
17 - 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
18 - 1 cup vegetable broth
19 - 2 bay leaves
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
21 - 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Combine rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened.
03 - Add garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in kidney beans, diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and flavors meld.
06 - Remove bay leaves. Stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Spoon rice into bowls and top with the bean mixture. Garnish with sliced green onions and additional parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It feeds a crowd without draining your wallet or your energy.
- The colors alone will make you grin before you even take a bite.
02 -
- Do not stir your rice while it cooks. I learned this the hard way after three consecutive batches of porridge.
- The bean mixture will look too soupy at first. Trust the simmer. It thickens more than you expect.
03 -
- Chop your vegetables the night before. The morning of, you just dump and stir.
- Double the recipe and freeze half. It thaws beautifully and saves you from yourself on busy weeks.