Recipe: New Orleans Red Beans

NEW ORLEANS RED BEANS

1 lb dry red beans
2 quarts water
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
4 bay leaves
1 cup chopped sweet green pepper
3 tbsp chopped garlic
3 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
cooked brown rice (to serve)

Pick through beans to remove bad beans; rinse thoroughly. In a 5-quart pot, combine beans, water, onion, celery, and bay leaves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook over low heat for about 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.

Stir and mash beans against side of pan. Add green pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until creamy, about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Serve over hot, cooked brown rice, if desired.

Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 160, Fat 1g, Calories from Fat 5%, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 11g, Sodium 1023mg, Protein 8g.

Servings: 8
Source: Produce for Better Health