RED BEANS and RICE - SLOW COOKER

This slow cooker recipe is another tasty Louisiana classic that everyone will love. This dish is comfort food at its best! VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSR8lCzxl4

• Ready In: 8 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb  dried red beans, rinsed
• 1⁄2 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 1⁄2 lb smoked ham, diced
• 1  cup  white onion, finely diced
• 1  cup celery rib, finely diced
• 1⁄2 cup green pepper, finely diced
• 1⁄2 cup  red pepper, finely diced
• 3  garlic cloves, pressed
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 tablespoon  creole seasoning
• 1⁄2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon  smoked paprika
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 2 1⁄2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 1⁄2 cups  low sodium vegetable broth
• 2  bay leaves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Place beans in a large bowl and cover with water; soak overnight. If you forget to do that, rinse beans well and discard any pebbles before placing them in a pot. Cover with cold water by 2-inches from the top and bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes and let them sit for 1 hour before draining well.
2. In a bowl of a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients including drained beans except salt and green onions. Set the temperature on “High” and cook for 7 hours.
3. One hour before cooking time is over, press about 50% of beans mixture against the sides of the bowl to thicken the sauce with a wooden spoon or a potato masher. Before returning to cook for another hour, add salt and stir. After 7 hours if the consistency is not thick enough, continue cooking for another hour with the lid up.
4. About 30 minutes before beans are ready, start cooking rice.
5. When time to serve, place cooked rice in the middle of a bowl, scoop bean mixture around it and sprinkle with green onions. If desired, add a few drops of hot sauce.