Red Beans and Rice

This is one of my family's favorite week night meals. You can really get this on the table in 30 minutes. Serves 4-6 hungry people

1 pkg Andouille sausage 

1 lg onion diced

1 lg bell pepper diced

1 1/2 cups diced celery

3 cloves garlic diced

1-2 heaping tablespoons smoked paprika

2 tsp thyme

1 bay leaf

2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes

3-4 cans S & W brand Louisiana red beans

2 tsps salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Tabasco to taste

1 bottle of good beer

Heat a 5 quart sauce pan on the stove over medium, high heat. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Cut the sausage into 1/4 inch rounds. Add them to the pot and brown. Add diced veggies, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the beer. Add the undrained  tomatoes and beans. Bring to boil and lower heat to simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over cooked white rice.

Cook's notes- Andouille sausage is a Louisiana style smoked sausage. I use a chicken sausage from Vons. It does have a bit of a kick so go easy if you are not into heat.

Tabasco is a chili sauce also from the south. If you've never used it before add a few dashes to the pot and taste to see what you think.