Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Turkey Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 lb Dried Red Kidney Beans
• 1 lb Smoked Turkey Sausage
• 1 large Onion
• 2 medium Celery Stalks
• 1 large Green Bell Pepper
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
• 2 leaves Bay Leaf
• 6 cups Chicken Broth
• 6 cups Cooked Rice
• 1 tsp Hot Sauce

Instructions

1. 1The day before you plan to cook, measure 1 lb of dried red kidney beans into a large bowl. Cover the beans with plenty of water and let them soak overnight. The next day, drain the soaked beans completely.
2. 2Prepare your vegetables: dice the 1 large onion, slice the 2 medium celery stalks into 1/4-inch pieces, and dice the 1 large green bell pepper into 1/2-inch pieces. Mince the 4 cloves of garlic.
3. 3Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C). Add the diced onion, sliced celery, and diced green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. You should see them become slightly translucent.
4. 4Add the minced garlic and 2 tbsp of Cajun seasoning to the pot. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
5. 5Add the drained red kidney beans, 1 lb of smoked turkey sausage (sliced into 1/2-inch rounds), 2 bay leaves, and 6 cups of chicken broth to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally. The beans are tender when they are soft enough to be easily mashed against the side of the pot with a spoon.
6. 6Once the beans are tender, remove and discard the 2 bay leaves from the pot. Use a fork or the back of a spoon to gently mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the pot; this will help thicken the mixture and make it creamy.
7. 7Stir in 1 tsp of hot sauce if you are using it. Taste the beans and add salt and pepper if needed (if not already present in the Cajun seasoning). Serve the red beans and rice mixture over 6 cups of cooked rice.

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