Jan 3, 2006

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.

14 comments:

Kalyn Denny said...

Sounds like an interesting variation of red beans and rice. Don't tell anyone, but I absolutely love the red beans and rice at Popeye's chicken. We don't have it in Utah though, so I only eat it once in a while. They cook the beans so they are almost liquid, and serve it with a scoop of rice in the middle.

Michele said...

Kalyn, this really is a great varation! The coconut milk makes it really creamy and the sage really stands out. I have never tried Popeye's but I bet they are good, I do like their chicken! I used to buy the packaged mix from the grocery store until I learned to make it from scratch and now I love this recipe even more than my usual one.

Dawna said...

Hi Michele,
I'm so glad the recipe turned out great for you - love the kielbasa - great addition! I usually make this as a side-dish, without any meat, but it really is a good one-pot dinner, too. Yay!

MeBeth said...

You're reading my mind - I've been craving red beans and rice for a few days, and this recipe looks delicious.

Michele said...

Dawna, I'm so glad you posted this recipe on your blog, it is so good. It's rare that my family ALL likes one dish and this one is a favorite of all. :)

Michele said...

MeBeth, we eat beans so often and I never get sick of them. There are so many ways you can prepare them... all delicious!

Cyndi said...

Hi, Michelle - another great blog to add to my list! You'll be linked on my page. Thanks for visiting mine. Want more good crockpot recipes? (Don't do the Beef and Lentils that I mentioned on my blog a few days ago.).

Michele said...

Hi Cyndi,

Sure I'd love more crock pot recipes, you can never have too many you know :) Thanks for adding my link! I'll add you to my list as well.

Ruth Daniels said...

Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.

Michele said...

You're welcom Ruth, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

I love any type of rice and beans!

Paz

Michele said...

We do too Paz, I make beans at least once a week in some way, shape or form :)

Anonymous said...

That sounds good, Michele. I'm always looking for bean dishes around here...

Michele said...

Lisa, this dish is so good and very easy, can't beat that! :)