Tanya's Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Dirty Rice

3 cans of beans or 1 pound dry kidney beans

 1/4 cup olive oil

 1 large onion, chopped

 1 green bell pepper, chopped

 1 tablespoons minced garlic

 2 stalks celery, chopped

2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4-1 tsp teaspoon dried sage (out)
1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 teaspoons salt

Optional:

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (see recipe below or just add some paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, etc to your recipe)

1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar or 1/2 tsp molasses and 1/2tsp stevia

1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco or sriracha
1 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns

1 can of chilles

6+ cups chicken broth or water

1/2 pound andouille sausage (3 links), sliced (Whole Foods has turkey andouille)

1/2 pound of ground beef

1/2 pound of shrimp

1/2 grilled chicken

In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.

Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 4 cups chicken broth. (Note, if you use dry beans they needed to soak over night and add a simmer for 2 1/2 hours before adding sausage).

Stir cooked vegetables into beans.

Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low.

Meat -->

Add sausage, and cook until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. 

Stir cooked sausage into beans and vegetables.

Add beef, and cook until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. 

Stir cooked beef into beans, veggies, and sausage.

Rice -->

Add 2 cups of brown rice

Boil and simmer -->

Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.

Add broth as needed until rice is cooked.  Next time, I might add cooked rice or have the rice separate.  It ended up taking about 6 hours total for the rice to get soft.  Plenty more broth than I thought.

*Make your own cajun seasoning, http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cajun-spice-mix-2/

*Option, cook rice separately. Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.

References:

http://www.louisianacookin.com/slow-cooker-red-beans-rice/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/authentic-louisiana-red-beans-and-rice/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/458453-how-to-cook-rice-in-a-slow-cooker/

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cajun-Dirty-Rice/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=dirty%20rice&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page&soid=sr_results_p1i10

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cajun-Dirty-Rice/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=dirty%20rice&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page&soid=sr_results_p1i10

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios Recipe - Allrecipes.com:



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Gluten-Free Vodka List

Gluten-Free Vodka List



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Gluten Free Fudgy Molasses Brownies - Crosby's Molasses

To try -- shopping list...

1 cup dark chocolate chips or coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate

½ cup butter, cut into pieces

1/4 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar (can be reduced to 2/3 cup)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup brown rice flour



Gluten Free Fudgy Molasses Brownies - Crosby's Molasses:



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Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe

Original recipe makes 4 to 6 servings



1 (20 ounce) can sauerkraut

1/4 cup of sugar and 1-2 tblsps of molasses OR 1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 pounds ground pork sausages

1 onion, sliced



Combine the sauerkraut and brown sugar in the slow cooker. Arrange the sausage and sliced onion over the sauerkraut.



Cook on high for two hours, check for dryness, adding some water if necessary, then reduce to low setting, and cook on low for two more hours.



References:



Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe - Allrecipes.com:



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