Red Beans & Rice with Sausage

Feel free to adjust the ingedients to suit your preferences. If you don't like things spicy, just add a dash of cayenne pepper and hot sauce.

Ingredients:
5 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
4 links andouille sausage, divided
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 pound dried kidney beans
1 bunch scallions, sliced
Cooked white rice

Directions:
1. In a cast iron Dutch oven over medium high heat, begin to render bacon and 2 links chopped andouille sausage. Cook until browned.

The amora of the bacon & sausage is amazing!

2. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook one minute.

Cooking the trinity.

3. Add bay leaves, thyme, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce. Stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Adding the seasonings.

4. Add kidney beans and 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil. Turn down to a high simmer, cover and cook 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Finish cooking uncovered for 30 minutes until thickened. Taste beans and adjust seasonings if required.

Add beans and water.

5. Slice remaining 2 links andouille sausage and brown in a skillet until caramelized.

Yummy carmelized sausage.

6. Serve beans over rice. Garnish with caramelized andouille sausage and green onions.

Toppings

Serve and enjoy!