A traditional Southern specialty, this rich but not spicy red beans and rice combination can be prepared vegetarian or with sausage and chicken for a hearty meal.

Additions:

1 tablespoon oil
1 pound sausage (any variety fresh sausage)
10 cups chicken broth
10 ounces fresh or frozen chopped greens (okra is traditional, but spinach, swiss chard or turnip greens are delicious)
2 cups cut up cooked chicken or duck

Cooking Directions:

Preparing the Beans:

• Rinse, drain and pick over.
• Place in a bowl with 8 cups water and soak for 4 hours at room temperature or for a “quick soak” boil for 10 minutes and let stand for 2 hours.
• Drain beans and place in a 4 quart pot with 8 cups water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour or more.

While simmering the beans:

• Brown sausage in oil over medium heat in an 8 quart pot.
• Drain excess fat.
• Add seasoning packet and stir about 1 minute.
• Add chicken broth and drained beans.
• Bring to a boil and simmer 45 minutes, covered.
• Add rice, greens and chicken.
• Simmer 1 hour, covered.

Crock Pot Recipe:

Recommended slow cooker: 4-6 quart
Serves 8

Additions:

1 T. Oil
1 lb. Sausage (any variety fresh or smoked sausage)
12 Cups Chicken Broth
10 oz. Fresh or Frozen Chopped Greens
(Okra is traditional, but Spinach, Swiss Chard or Turnip Greens are delicious)
2 Cups Cut-up Cooked Chicken or Duck

Slow Cooker Directions:

Preparing the soup in the morning (or the night before):

• Crumble and brown sausage in oil over medium heat in large skillet.
• Add contents of seasoning packet, stir 1 minute, and transfer to bowl of slow cooker. (May cover and refrigerate overnight.)

Cooking:

• Rinse, drain and pick over beans. Place into crock pot with sausage mixture and add chicken broth.
• Cover and cook on HI 6-8 hours.
• Add rice, greens and chicken and cook 1 hour on HI.

Ingredients:

Nutrition Facts Serving Size: About 3 Tbsp. (31g) Dry Mix Prepared Serving Size: About 1 Cup Serving Per Container: About 14 Amount per Serving Mix Prepared Calories 80 270    Calories from Fat 0 110 % Daily Value** Total Fat 0g* 0% 20%    Saturated Fat 0g 0% 20%    Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% 15% Sodium 20mg 1% 35% Total Carbohydrate 22g 7% 8%    Dietary Fiber 7g 28% 32%    Sugars 1g Protein 5g Vitamin A 10% 45% Vitamin C 30% 35% Calcium 4% 8% Iron 10% 20% * Amount in Mix ** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.