Featured image: Camellia’s
When you think of iconic culinary traditions in the South, it’s hard not to start drooling thinking about a hearty pot of Red Beans and Rice. In Louisiana, Mondays are dedicated to this dish, with a pot of red kidney beans simmering away as households tackle their chores. The secret to its creamy, flavorful richness lies in the ingredients, and at the center of this dish are Camellia Beans.
Founded in 1923, Camellia Brand has proudly been New Orleans’ original dried bean company and has built a reputation for quality that’s second to none. The fourth-generation, family-run business hand-selects the finest beans, peas, and lentils, often sourcing less than 10% of the crop’s yield for the season to ensure superior quality. Their beans have exceeded the top USDA grade, earning the honor of meeting the “Hayward Standard.” So, when you’re ready to whip up a pot of Red Beans and Rice, you know you’re using the best of the best.
Fourth-generation owner and current CEO of the brand Vince Hayward shares his go-to recipe with us.
Red Beans & Rice
Equipment
- 1 Large heavy pot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound Camellia Brand Red Kidney Beans
- 1 pound smoked sausage sliced
- 2 cups chopped seasoning blend onions, celery, green bell peppers, parsley flakes
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1/4 stick butter
- 8-10 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Cajun seasoning to taste
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- White rice hot and cooked, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and sort through them to remove any debris.
- In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, cook the sliced sausage over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until browned.
- Stir in the chopped seasoning blend and garlic, along with the butter, and continue to cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the rinsed beans, water, bay leaf, and smoked ham hocks to the pot. Bring to a rolling boil for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans reach your desired tenderness.
- As the beans soften, use a large spoon to mash a portion against the side of the pot to create a creamy gravy.
- Add salt, pepper, hot sauce, and Cajun seasoning to taste, stirring well to combine.
- Ladle the red beans over a generous scoop of hot cooked rice. Enjoy!
