Mardi Gras Rice Beans (Printable)
A vibrant dish featuring spiced beans, colorful vegetables, and fluffy rice inspired by Mardi Gras flavors.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Rice Base
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Aromatics and Vegetables
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Spices and Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Beans and Liquids
16 - 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
17 - 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
18 - 1 cup vegetable broth
19 - 2 bay leaves
→ Garnish
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
21 - 2 green onions, sliced
# How-to Steps:
01 - Combine rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until spices become fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, and bay leaves to the skillet. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
05 - Remove bay leaves and discard. Stir in chopped parsley. Taste the bean mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
06 - Spoon fluffy rice into serving bowls and top generously with the bean mixture. Garnish with sliced green onions and extra fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spices hit you first, then this deep comforting richness settles in like a warm hug
- It tastes like you spent all day cooking but comes together in under an hour
- Leftovers somehow get better overnight, making it the gift that keeps giving
02 -
- The first time I forgot to remove the bay leaves, someone spent dinner nervously checking every bite
- Letting the beans simmer uncovered longer than you think necessary is what transforms good into incredible
- Resist stirring the rice while it cooks, or you will end up with gummy disappointment
03 -
- Everything tastes better made a day ahead, so do not hesitate to prep it in advance
- The vegetables should be uniformly diced so they cook evenly and look beautiful
- Trust your nose over the timer, those spices will tell you when they are ready