Classic Red Beans N Rice

Name: Classic Red Beans N Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 25 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound dried kidney beans; 8 cups water; 1 ham hock; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 pound ground beef; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 garlic clove, minced; Hot cooked rice

We've lived here, where Cajun cooking is common, for nearly 25 years and have come to rely on this staple menu item. If you've never tried red beans and rice before, I assure you'll like this recipe.—Jackie Turnage, New Iberia, Louisiana

Ingredients

1 pound dried kidney beans
8 cups water
1 ham hock
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
Hot cooked rice

Directions

Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place beans in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand until beans are softened, 1 to 4 hours.
Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Return to Dutch oven. Add the water, ham hock, bay leaves and onion powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour.
In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook the beef, onion, salt and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add to bean mixture. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. Discard bay leaves.
Remove ham hock; allow to cool. Remove meat from bones; discard bone. Cut meat into bite-size pieces and return to broth. Heat through. Serve with rice.

Smoked or cured ham hocks are usually available in your grocer's meat department. If you can't find them, ask your butcher for some leftover ham bones.