ARF Tuesdays #1

I was so excited when Sweetnicks announced that she was hosting ARF (Antioxidant Rich Food) Tuesdays! When I first announced that I was going to participate in this event and looked at the list of foods involved, I realized that we already eat most of these on a regular basis and some on a daily basis.

One ARF I eat every day is blueberries. Usually I buy organic frozen blueberries and eat them in oatmeal or smoothies for breakfast. Then I discovered blueberry juice and that has been added to my regimen as well. Since I started eating blueberries on a regular basis over the summer I have not been sick once! The power natural foods is amazing!

The recipe I am going to share today, I originally found on Always in the Kitchen. I modified it a bit to suit my family's tastes and we absolutely loved it. This one will be on our table on a regular basis for sure!

Red Beans and Rice Jamaican Style
(modified from Always in the Kitchen)

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked kidney beans (drained and rinsed, if canned)
160 ml coconut milk plus water to make 1 cup liquid
1/2 link of smoked turkey sausage (kielbasa style), cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning (you can get this on-line at Cajun Supermarket)
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
sliced green onions to garnish

In a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, cook the diced onion, garlic in the canola oil until it starts to turn translucent. Add the beans, coconut milk, turkey sausage, bell pepper and spices, and bring to a boil. Let cook, stirring, for about a minute, and then add the rice and 1 & 3/4 cups boiling water. Bring the mixture back up to a boil, stirring, then immediately cover. Turn down the heat to a bare simmer and do not open the lid for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.