NOT YO' MAMA'S RED BEANS AND RICE
Source: Chef Paul Prudhomme's Fork in the Road: A Different Direction in Cooking
Makes about 7 cups, enough for 6 main-dish servings

Red beans with rice is an old traditional New Orleans Monday supper dish. Monday used to be wash day, and the story goes that the beans could simmer while the laundry was being done.

When the wash was finished, so were the beans. In the past, in order to make the beans really good, the cook started off with a lot of oil. While this recipe eliminates the oil, it still is mouth-watering.

1 pound red kidney beans -- or other red beans
SEASONING MIX:
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
3 cups chopped onion, divided
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
8 1/2 cups defatted chicken stock, divided
2 cups grape juice, divided
4 cups cooked long-grain white rice

Day 1: Add enough water to the red beans to cover them by 3 or 4 inches, and soak overnight in the refrigerator. As the beans absorb the water; they'll more than double in volume.

Day 2: Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Drain the beans and set them aside. Preheat a heavy 5-quart pot, preferably non-stick, over high heat to 350 degrees, about 4 minutes. Add 2 cups of the onions, the bell peppers, and the celery, and 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix.

Stir and cook until the vegetables start to turn brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the stock, scrape the bottom of the pot to clear all the browned bits, and cook 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 cup of onions, stir, and cook 5 minutes.

Add the drained beans, 5 cups of the stock, and the remaining seasoning mix. Stir and cook for 45 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally to check for sticking. Add 1 cup grape juice and continue to cook for 25 minutes.

CAUTION: At this point, the starches in the beans start to break down and sticking will occur more often. It is therefore important to check and clear the bottom of the pan frequently.

Add the remaining stock and grape juice, turn the heat to medium, and cook until the beans are tender, and the liquid is thick and begins to look creamy, about 30 to 35 minutes. Serve over the rice.