The proper care and feeding of husbands
Once upon a weekend, Ben was hungry and tired. He’d had a long day of mowing and watering and weed eating and gardening.
Stumbling into the house, he licked his lips. There was a smell… a rich, hearty smell. The smell of his Louisiana childhood, the smell of the South.
Red beans and rice.
Just like grits and po’ boys, red beans and rice are a staple of a good Southern boy. And even though Ben has been living in Texas for the past six years, there’s still plenty of Louisiana in him.
So when you take a big bowl of red beans and rice…
and a thick hunk of homemade wheat bread…
You’ve got a happy husband.
Even if he cooked the red beans and rice himself.
And you’ve got a even happier husband…
When he wakes up to homemade bran muffins for breakfast.
And when that happy husband finds out that there’s oodles of muffins for breakfasts before work, so he doesn’t come home so ravenous he could eat a moose…
Let’s just say he’s ecstatic.
Alton Brown’s Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
For red beans:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium green bell peppers, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces pickled pork, cut into 1-inch pieces (I used beef hot dogs because Ben doesn’t eat pork)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 quarts water
- 1 pound red kidney beans, rinsed and picked of debris
For rice:
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Place the vegetable oil in a 7-quart Dutch oven and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, salt and pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions and celery are semi-translucent and the bell peppers are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the pickled pork, bay leaves, thyme, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, water and beans to the pot and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a boil, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat slightly to maintain a steady simmer and continue to cook for another 30 to 40 minutes or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking. If you prefer an even creamier texture, mash some of the beans with a potato masher.
Prepare rice during the last 30 minutes of cooking the beans. Place the water into an electric kettle and bring to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil place the butter into a 3-quart saucepan, set over medium heat. Once the butter begins to bubble, add the rice and stir to combine. Add the salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Carefully pour the water over the rice and stir to combine. Decrease the heat to the lowest setting, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the beans over the rice.
Bran Muffins
3 cups bran
1 cup boiling water
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 1/2 cups white flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
Mix 1 cup wheat bran with 1 cup boiling water, stir and let water absorb into bran. In separate bowl, blend sugar and butter. Measure and combine flour, baking soda and salt. Combine moist bran with beaten eggs, remaining 2 cups of bran,buttermilk, sugar-butter mixture, flour, soda and salt. Stir until well blended.
Place in fridge for future use for up to 2 to 4 weeks or bake at once. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.
Recipe from Hodgson Mill.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a new Twirl and this weekend, a new creative featured woman and a tribute to Mother’s Day! Stay tuned!
May 7th, 2009 at 2:51 am
this type of pampering would result in a happy grace, too.
i love me some beans, and while i usually skip the rice, a nice hearty chunk of bread is essential for sopping up those juices. yum. also, yum.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Steve loves the same kind of foods! He loves his red beans & rice too!
May 7th, 2009 at 3:55 am
universally universal in the universe!
May 7th, 2009 at 4:44 am
I would love to wake up to some muffins! I’d have to make them myself though, then go back to bed, fall asleep and POOF! Wake up to muffins!
May 7th, 2009 at 4:50 am
YOu know, I’ve never had these! I’ve actually never had a lot of Southern food.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:50 am
It’s fun to cook for the husbands huh? I could go for one of those muffins right now.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Nothing like good old Louisiana comfort food. This looks so good and muffins to top it off. Good job wifey!!!!!!!!! LOL
May 7th, 2009 at 5:28 am
I love to find new recipes and I think my hubby would probably love that beans and rice one! Thanks!
Visiting from SITs, bookmarked you and I’ll be back.
Have a great day
May 7th, 2009 at 5:31 am
So cute! Does this work for boyfriends too? lol
May 7th, 2009 at 5:39 am
I haven’t had this before either, not a lot of Southern food in Canada I guess. You guys look so nice and happy!
May 7th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Totally lucky hubby!
May 7th, 2009 at 6:57 am
My mouth is watering! I love red beans and rice. I need to make this recipe now!
May 7th, 2009 at 6:59 am
oh you SPOIL your dear hubby
May 7th, 2009 at 7:01 am
You are such a sweet wife. I’ve never had red beans and rice before – it sounds good.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:01 am
What a good wife you are
May 7th, 2009 at 7:06 am
That is one happy fellow! Your recipe is tempting me.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Cute post! For some reason, I’m feeling hungry all of a sudden…
May 7th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Horray for a happy husband! We’ll have to try the red beans and rice. Thanks for the recipes!!
May 7th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Lucky man. That all looks delicious. I’m glad I’m eating while I type, otherwise I’d be hungry.
May 7th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I love me some red beans and rice and believe this or not, I’m a northerner. I just love food from all regions of this great country. Boy those pictures looked great but seriously, girl, where did your man find that blue hat? You need to hide that thing. LOL
May 7th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Gee, this could be about making Michelle a happy blogger too! LOL! All this food is making me HUNGRY. I’ve never had red beans and rice if you can believe that. I will try this one. Those bran muffins look awesome!!
May 7th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’ve never even heard of red beans and rice until I read your blog. lol, can I borrow your husband as a chef for a day?
May 7th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The best way to a man’s heart…
May 7th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I love me some red beans and rice. In fact, the homegirlz demand it once a month even when it’s hot as hades outside.
I was going to post whie beans and rice, but I put it off since the weather was getting so warm. Ask your good ol’ Looziana man where he stands on white beans and rice.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Rice and beans are so comforting! I need a bowl of that!
May 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I love southern food! I grew up in Florida, so I have all these yummy recipes from my grandmas, and aunts if you’d ever like them.
P.S. I’m super excited about this weekend!
May 7th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
A happy husband is a very good thing. It’s nice that something so easy as bran muffins can make his day.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Ahh, Alton Brown. That man is a funny genius. I’ve never had red beans and rice but it does look good.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
These both look comforting and delicious!
May 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I didn’t know Ben was from Louisiana!! I love red beans and rice! And home-made bran muffins! Are you making them this weekend? I think I can get there in time!!!!
May 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
SOUNDS YUMMY! MY HUBBY IS A BIG FAN OF BEANS TOO. THANKS FOR SHARING.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
What a cute story!
I am totally making some of those bran muffings this weekend. Or next weekend. ha!
May 7th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Those red beans and rice look amazing. You are such a good wife.. Bran muffins are a staple here too:)
May 7th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Hey SITSta thanks for stopping by! Thanks for the post, I love Alton Brown and I know hubby will love this recipe!
May 7th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
You both look happy, and so cute together! I’ve never had red beans and rice, but I’ve had good luck with anything by Alton Brown, so I’m going to bookmark this one.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Your hubby is so lucky to have such a loving wifey like you who cares enough to cook such a delicious looking meal to remind him of his Louisiana roots
kHm
May 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
YUM my husband loves beans of any kind, you are such a good wife!
May 7th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I’ll definitely give the beans and rice recipe a go on the weekend
May 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Hardy food for a “Hearty” man. What a good little wifey you are. I haven’t had red beans and rice in way too long. Thanks for sharing duckie, and thank you to Ben:)
May 7th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
LOL The title of this story reminds me of some of those old fashioned books like “how to be a good wife”. Perhaps this could be one of the chapters!
May 7th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Hubby looks happy and so do you!
May 7th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
haha. my hubby LOVES food. i don’t get to cook for him much right now though since he is working in the evening. i miss it!
May 7th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Red Beans? Bran Muffins? He’s smiling because he is SO regular!! LOL
You two are such a cute couple!!
May 7th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
That’s enough to keep ya going! I love red beans and rice…YummY!
May 7th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I’m up too late and now I’m hungry again after coming by your blog. YOU’RE KILLING ME WOMAN! KILLING ME!
May 8th, 2009 at 12:25 am
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful wifey you are! I am going to try that recipe…now I am craving red beans and rice like crazy lol…you even made home made bread…wow! I mentioned you on my bloggy today, by the way
May 8th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Ciao ! You are such a nice couple ! I love all your photos I’m happy to see your happy faces! baci
May 8th, 2009 at 2:55 am
mmmmmmm red beans and rice. So good! I swear I was supposed to be born southern, not converted, but I’m happy I’m down here now regardless
Such cute pictures of you two. You look fabulous
May 8th, 2009 at 3:01 am
I bet your husband loved it!!! You spoil him with lovely home made goodies!!! Yum!! The 2 dishes look delcious, my friend!!
May 8th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Looks delicious!! And I do dig that blue hat he’s wearing
May 8th, 2009 at 6:22 am
That looks delectable! I am definitely printing this one off and adding it to my ever-growing stack of your recipes that I’m going to try as soon as I get off the computer!!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:29 am
Yum!
My husband wishes that he married someone like you. His meal probably would have been burnt chicken or something.
May 8th, 2009 at 8:03 am
awww…Duckie, you and Ben are sooo sweet together. I just love you guys to bits! I am waiting patiently for your e-mail and wondering whats up!! Late getting here today as I worked all night again. Oh well, it’s a job and I can’t complain can I!! I have never had red beans and rice. Perhaps one day you can come here and cook them for me! XXOO
May 8th, 2009 at 10:25 am
You always have the best stuff over here. My husband would absolutely love this. Think I’ll make it tonight. Thanks!!
Love ya’ll pictures!
May 8th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Thanks for stopping by! Although I grew up in Texas, my family is from Louisiana – I will definitely have to try out this recipe!
May 8th, 2009 at 11:07 am
We know Ben’s a happy guy indeed!
May 8th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Yum! That looks delish! Send some my way!
May 9th, 2009 at 3:47 am
I made the muffins this morning and my WHOLE FAMILY loved them – even the picky one!!!!! My WHOLE FAMILY doesn’t like ANYthing!
I’ll get all cocky and optimistic and try the red beans and rice later this week – fingers crossed!
May 9th, 2009 at 8:52 am
What a nice wife you are!!! I had to laugh at the title, because I’ve seen that book from the 50s!
May 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Very cute photos!
I can’t believe I have never had red beans and rice before.
Shame on me being fromn Florida…oops.
They do serve em’ at lots of places here in NC as well.
Have a wonderful week.
~Melissa
May 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Can’t say that I’ve ever had this but it sounds interesting and most likely yummy! lol Thre bran muffins look SO GOOD!!
May 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I’ll have some red beans and rice! And I’d like a couple of those muffins, too!