Ultimate Cajun Red Beans and Rice for the Daniel Fast

🎉 Introduction

Experience the vibrant flavors of Cajun cuisine with this Ultimate Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe, designed specifically for those observing the Daniel Fast. Packed with wholesome ingredients and a delightful blend of spices, this fulfilling dish is perfect for nourishing your body while enjoying a hearty meal. Whether served on its own or as a side, this recipe is sure to please the taste buds of everyone at the dinner table.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Colander
• Rice cooker or saucepan

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Rinse the soaked red kidney beans in cold water and drain them using a colander.
Step 2: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the rinsed beans, diced tomatoes (with their juices), Creole seasoning, dried thyme, bay leaf, and vegetable broth into the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more vegetable broth if needed to keep the beans submerged.
Step 6: Once the beans are cooked, remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7: While the red beans are simmering, prepare the brown rice using a rice cooker or by following package instructions in a saucepan.
Step 8: To serve, ladle the Cajun red beans over a bed of cooked brown rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

Servings: 6 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store leftover Cajun red beans and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a pot over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of vegetable broth if necessary to loosen the consistency.

🥄 Variations

• Add diced smoked chicken or turkey for a non-vegetarian option.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
• Spice it up with a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
• Substitute black beans for kidney beans for a different flavor profile.

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
A: Yes, you can use canned red kidney beans. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the pot, reducing the cooking time to about 30 minutes.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes, this Cajun red beans and rice recipe is gluten-free, as all ingredients used are naturally gluten-free.

Q: Can I make this dish in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! After sautéing the vegetables, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Q: What can I substitute for vegetable broth?
A: You can use water or homemade vegetable stock as a substitute for vegetable broth, but using broth will add more flavor.

Q: How spicy is Cajun seasoning?
A: Cajun seasoning usually has a mild to moderate spice level. You can adjust the amount based on your heat preference.

Q: Can I freeze the leftovers?
A: Yes, Cajun red beans and rice can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Q: What is the best type of rice to use?
A: Brown rice is recommended for this recipe, as it adds more nutrients and fiber compared to white rice.

Q: Can I add different proteins to this dish?
A: Yes, you can add proteins such as diced chicken or turkey, or even sausage for a non-vegetarian version.

Q: Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
A: Absolutely! This dish stores well and can be easily reheated, making it perfect for meal prep.

Q: How do I make this dish more nutritious?
A: Consider adding more vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers to increase the nutrient content.

🏁 Conclusion

This Ultimate Cajun Red Beans and Rice dish is not only delicious but also a wholesome choice for anyone on the Daniel Fast. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, it can become a favorite in your weekly meal rotation. Enjoy this comforting classic that celebrates the essence of Cajun cooking while adhering to your dietary preferences.

Ultimate Cajun Red Beans and Rice for the Daniel Fast

Ultimate Cajun Red Beans and Rice for the Daniel Fast

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 2 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups dried red kidney beans soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1 celery stalk diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 tablespoon *Creole seasoning*
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)

Equipment

• 1 large pot
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 Knife
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 Measuring cups
• 1 Measuring spoons
• 1 Colander
• 1 Rice cooker or saucepan

Method

 

1. Rinse the soaked red kidney beans in cold water and drain them using a colander.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the rinsed beans, diced tomatoes (with their juices), Creole seasoning, dried thyme, bay leaf, and vegetable broth into the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more vegetable broth if needed to keep the beans submerged.
6. Once the beans are cooked, remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. While the red beans are simmering, prepare the brown rice using a rice cooker or by following package instructions in a saucepan.
8. To serve, ladle the Cajun red beans over a bed of cooked brown rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

Notes

Storage & Reheating:
Store leftover Cajun red beans and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a pot over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of vegetable broth if necessary to loosen the consistency.

Variations:
- Add diced smoked chicken or turkey for a non-vegetarian option.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
- Spice it up with a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- Substitute black beans for kidney beans for a different flavor profile.