White Beans and Sausage

It got down right cold the other morning.  It is time for long sleeves, long pants, and socks in your shoes.  It is time for slow cooking beans on a warm stove.  I read somewhere that is is a good idea to soak the beans overnight and that will reduce the flatulence.  Good to know

I recently read a Face Book request for inexpensive food/meals and what is less costly than beans?  Any kind of beans.  Notice that I did not say cheap? There is nothing cheap about such nutritional, complex, and inexpensive food that will feed quit a few people.  Some of the beans you may grow in your garden, e.g. black eyed beans--good to eat and good as cover crop.

My favorite recipe is for White Beans and Spicy Sausage a  la New Orleans style.  I cooked the dried white beans as stated on the package, soaking overnight.  On the second day, I boiled/simmered the beans until soft, a little less than two (2) hours.

In the meantime, I stir fried the onions, green Bell peppers, and celery (the Trinity of NO cooking) with a bit a minced garlic with the spicy sausage.  I poured this mix into a large pot with the beans, added 8 - 10 cups of stock (or water) let it come to a boil, and let it simmer for about half an hour.  Use less liquid if you don't plan to simmer for very long  No need to overcook.

Herbs and Spices.  Since the sausage is rather spicy, go easy on the spice.  Salt and pepper to taste.  I added one Bay leaf, 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper, and 1/2 cup fresh minced parsley, saving some for decoration.

Serve as a main dish over cooked rice.

A native of New Orleans, a legend however shy, recently passed away.  May he rest in Peace.

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