Wash Day Cajun Lentils And Rice Recipes

WASH DAY CAJUN LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the onion and carrots.
• Cook, stirring, until onion is golden, about 8 minutes.
• Add pepper and mushrooms and cook 7-8 minutes more, stirring.
• Add garlic, tomatoes, broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, lemon zest and Basmati rice and stir inches.
• Reduce heat, partially cover and cook 20 minutes without stirring.
• Uncover and stir in lentils. simmer 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and serve.

EASY ONE POT LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Cover the lentils with the water.
• Peel and crush the garlic cloves lightly with the back of a knife. Leave the cloves whole, so that they flavor the dish but can be removed if desired. (I leave them out of the kids' portions, and give them to my DH and myself).
• Add garlic to the pot, along with the bay leaves, cumin seeds and cinnamon. (DO NOT add salt at this point, as lentils will not cook properly).
• Bring to a boil. Cook at a boil until the lentils are just tender. This should take about 25 minutes, but may take longer dependig on the age of your lentils.
• Add the rice, salt and olive oil, and bring back to a boil.
• Stir, cover pot, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.
• Check to make sure the rice is done, adjust seasonings, and serve. If there is still too much liquid in the pan, just let it sit uncovered for a few minutes.
• Enjoy!

WASH DAY RED BEANS

Steps:

• Wash and sort the beans.
• In a large soup pot cover the beans with water and bring to a rolling boil.
• Turn off the heat and let rest 2-3 hours.
• Drain and rinse the beans.
• Return the beans to the pot and add 8 cups water, add a few pinches of pepper, the thyme, and bay leaves and bring to a slow boil. *Don't add salt at this point, wait until the beans have cooked through or else the beans will stay hard.
• In the meantime, saute the vegetables in the olive oil until soft, about 10-15 minutes.
• Add to the pot and stir.
• After the beans have cooked at least 30 minutes, return saute pan to the heat and saute the meats, adding more olive oil if needed.
• When the sausage and ham bits are cooked and crisping up a bit add that to the bean pot.
• Return the saute pan once again to the heat and add the consomme, stirring and scraping up the flavorful bits.
• Pour all of that into the bean pot and stir.
• Add the whole can of tomatoes and stir.
• Let simmer on low for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally until the beans are just right.
• Season with salt, pepper, & hot sauce to taste.
• I will then mash some of the beans to achieve my desired thickness and then add my secret ingredients: the ketchup and the butter! Shhh.
• Stir, taste and reseason.
• Serve in bowls over steamed white or brown rice.

CAJUN LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender.
• Add water and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
• Stir in lentils and return to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, breaking them up; add wine, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Bring stew to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes; add zucchini and simmer 15 minutes more.
• Discard bay leaf before serving.
• Serve over grilled slices of polenta or steamed brown rice, if desired.