The Way to a Man's Heart

I know that you have heard it said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I am glad that I have an understanding man because my Martha Stewart skills are very slim and do not begin to compete with his momma's.

But there is one recipe that I might someday win an award for - it is so simple! B just loves it and begs for me to cook it every week. I got this recipe from my mom, and I don't know where she got it from.

So here it goes...the best red beans and rice you have ever eaten. So, so good on a cool night!

Ingredients

2T Butter

1/2 C. Celery chopped (I don't normally use celery though. You have to buy such a large quantity and it always goes bad in our fridge.)

1/4 C. onion chopped

1/4 C. green pepper chopped

16 oz. canned kidney beans

10-1/2 oz can beef broth

1# smoked sausage

1/4 C. Water

1t Garlic

1t oregano

1/4t red pepper

1/4t white pepper

1/4t black pepper

1-1/2 C. Minute Rice (I usually use brown instead of white)

1/2 to 1# ground sausage

Saute celery, onion and green pepper in butter in a 3Q pot. Add beans, smoked sausage (cut into 1/2" slices), broth and spices. Stir and bring to a boil.

Brown ground sausage in another pan.

Add rice to pot, cover and remove from heat.

After 10 minutes, add ground sausage. Mix it up and you are ready for dinner. **Note this is not a soup-y recipe. You eat this with a fork!

We like red beans and rice with french bread and a side salad.

Enjoy!