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Recipes  : Red Beans and Rice

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Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a Monday tradition throughout South Louisiana, but particularly in New Orleans. Years ago, before the age of automatic washing machines, Monday was wash day—which made it a good day to slow simmer a big pot of beans on the stove. And Sunday’s ham yielded a mighty fine ham bone that gave the beans a heavenly flavor … well … that’s how traditions are born.

Beans served over rice added up to a great source of protein in the days when many families couldn’t afford meat regularly. A pot of beans could feed lots of people.

Today, folks add plenty of meat, if they want it. A New Orleans favorite is pickled pork, which local butchers make by soaking pork shoulder in brine. Other additions or accompaniments include smoked sausage, pork chops, ham, salt pork, or tasso (highly seasoned smoked pork).

When New Orleanians have the time to slow-cook their red beans from scratch, they like to use Zatarain’s Red Bean Seasoning Mix to get the flavors just right. But when time is of the essence and dinner needs to be on the table, they’ll take a tasty shortcut and use Zatarain’s Red Beans and Rice Mix. With long-grain, parboiled rice and precooked beans, total prep time is under 30 minutes.

An insider tip: When you’re making red beans from scratch and adding a ham bone, make sure that you either crack the bone or that one end of it is open, so the marrow can cook out into the beans. It gives the dish a rich flavor and silky texture.

Whether you want to make your red beans from scratch or have us do most of the work, here are the products and recipes you need to get started.

> Red Bean and Rice Party Dip

Liven up the party with this Southwestern-style dip. Serve with tortilla chips.
Rating: Prep time:10 min. Cook time:40 min.
> Red Bean and Rice Tacos

Serve this all-time favorite with typical taco toppings, or include chopped avocado, sour cream and chopped cilantro as well.
Rating: Prep time:10 min. Cook time:30 min.
> Red Bean, Chicken and Cheese Burritos

If you are in the mood for Mexican tonight, you can make burritos easily at home with Zatarain's® Red Beans and Rice Mix, chicken, salsa, cheese and tortillas.
Rating: Prep time:10 min. Cook time:35 min.
> Zatarain's® Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a traditional Monday dinner in New Orleans. Serve as a meatless meal or as a side dish to pork or chicken.
Rating: Prep time:5 min. Cook time:30 min.
> Red Bean and Rice Salad

Colorful vegetables add flavor, texture and eye appeal to this rice salad, featuring Zatarain's® Red Beans and Rice Mix.
Rating: Prep time:10 min. Cook time:25 min.