Friday, September 19, 2014

Vegan MoFo, Day 19: Cajun Red Beans and Rice


Cajun Red Beans and Rice Mix form Vegan Food Gifts (page 105)

Today's recipe is from Vegan Food Gifts: More Than 100 Inspired Recipes for Homemade Baked Goods, Preserves, and Other Edible Gifts Everyone Will Love. And while it's true that this jar of goodness makes a yummy gift, it's also true that these types of mixes also make for great pantry staples.
 Whole food convenience foods, if you will.  Keep the jars in your pantry, and when you are ready to cook, pretty much all you have to do is add water!



Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Mixes like this not only make great gifts, but they are super nice to have on hand at home for easy dinner times during a busy week.

2 cups (360 g) dry uncooked white rice
1 tablespoon (1 g) parsley flakes
1 tablespoon (2 g) dried chives
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup (185 g) dry uncooked small red beans

Place rice in the bottom of a quart sized mason jar.
Mix together spices and bay leaf, and place in a small resealable plastic bag.
Place seasoning bag on top of rice in the jar.
Top with red beans and seal.


Using a pretty ribbon or twine tie on the recipe card below:



To Prepare the Mix:

As written, this dish has no added fat! If you are not concerned about the added calories from fat, feel free to add a bit of nondairy butter to your final dish before serving.

Remove beans from jar.
Remove seasoning packet and set aside.
Rinse the beans.
Add beans and 4 cups (940 ml) water to a large stock pot or Dutch oven with a tight fitting lid.
Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for two minutes.
Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour.
Drain and rinse beans. Return beans to the pot.
Add 8 cups (1.88 l) fresh water and seasoning packet.
Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Simmer, covered, for 60 minutes, stirring about every 20 minutes.
Add rice. Stir to combine.
Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until rice and beans are tender and almost all of the moisture has been absorbed.
Discard bay leaf before serving.

Yield: 8 servings

2 comments:

Amey said...

This is an awesome idea for a gift! I"m always trying to think of foodie gifts that aren't all desserts - especially for some of my friends who I know are trying to limit their sugar. The prepared dish looks super yummy!

n_selah_d said...

This is the only book of yours I currently own and I love it! I've got a few of the gift jars made up and my oldest (9) makes them following the instructions on the cute cards.

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All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni