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