Upmarket Rice and Beans

Hello Dear Reader,

Oh I can hear some say, not another rice and beans recipe, as if we need another one, but wait. This recipe transforms these humble and frugal ingredients into superstars, I really mean it. Think smoky chorizo and the slight hum of heat from a homemade Cajun spice mix topped off with the goodness of rice and red kidney beans.

It is simplicity itself, using one pot, a bit of stirring and steaming and dinner is done. I made this on a lazy Sunday afternoon and it was absolutely delicious, I can see it popping up regularly on our dinner table. It also makes a big pot of goodness, so plenty for dinner and then some leftover for lunches the next day.

Make it today-

Firstly make the Cajun spice mix-

From left-1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried chilli flakes, 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano, 2 1/2 teaspoons ground paprika, 1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme and 1 teaspoon onion powder

Combine all ingredients in a bowl

And give it a really good mix, pop into a jar and label it 

And now for the main event-

Ingredients for Upmarket Rice and Beans, clockwise from top right-

1 1/2 cups rice (I use Basmati) 4 Chorizo sausage (I use the Aldi brand) 1 green capsicum, diced, 2 spring onions, finely sliced, separating the white and green parts, 2 garlic cloves, grated on a microplane, 2 ribs of celery, diced, 3 to 4 teaspoons of Cajun spice mix, 1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained and 1 litre of chicken stock

In a large saucepan, on medium heat, sauté the white part of the spring onion with the celery and green capsicum for a couple of minutes, then add the Cajun spice mix and sauté for another minute

Add the sliced Chorizo and let sizzle away for another 5 minutes until veggies are soft 

Now add the garlic and sauté for one more minute 

Add the rinsed and drained rice and beans and then pour over the chicken stock, turn heat down to low, pop the lid on and let gently cook away for 10 to 15 minutes 

Or until all the stock has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through. Take the pot off the heat and let sit for another 5 minutes and then fluff rice with a fork

Sprinkle over green part of spring onion and you're set to go

A one pot wonder that is delicious and will feed a crowd, what's no to love.

Make it, love it, add it to your regular dinner rotation and be loved and admired even more by your family.

Have a lovely day,

💗Fi

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