Happy Fat Tuesday! Would you believe I’ve never been to Mardi Gras? It always looks like such a fun party. Perhaps one day I’ll make it there… or maybe not.
St. Patty’s, Mardi Gras… You get the idea.
Even though it’s Fat Tuesday, I’m { trying } to keep things pretty lean here. It’s not like I’m giving anything up for Lent, so there’s really no change here.
Of course, I’m still celebrating in my own way. On Sunday night, I made a bayou themed meal in honor of the occasion. It’s extremely simple, so I didn’t plan on posting a recipe. However, it turned out really yummy! I decided it was share-worthy after all.
Red Beans n’ Rice
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbs butter or oil (I used Earth Balance spread.)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2-3 stalks celery, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbs salt-free Cajun seasoning
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional – per your taste)
- 1 28 oz can salt-free diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1.5 cups water
- 2 cups brown rice
- 2 15 oz cans kidney beans, divided
- hot sauce for topping (optional – we used Emeril‘s)
Directions
- Heat oil/butter in a large pot over medium. Add onion and saute until softened. Add celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Continue cooking approximately 6 minutes. Stir in seasoning and red pepper flakes. Stir until fragrant.
- Pour in the entire can of tomatoes with their juices, and add the water. Bring to a boil, and add the rice.
- Cover and turn down the heat to low.
- Rinse and drain 1 can of beans, then mash it in handfuls as you add it to the pot. The beans can still be chunky. Rinse and drain the second can of beans, and simply add them to the pot without mashing. Stir.
- Allow this mixture to simmer approximately 45 minutes while covered, or until rice has finished cooking. Stir occasionally.
- Top with hot sauce if desired.
Perfect for a chilly February night! Sausage would have been great in this, but I was going for a lower-fat Tuesday. A warm, crusty French baguette would also make for a nice lagniappe. This would normally make 4 servings, but Kevin was pretty hungry on Sunday, thus leaving leftovers for only one of us last night.
- Are you giving anything up for Lent?
- Are you celebrating Fat Tuesday?
February 12, 2013 at 7:27 am
I worked out a little extra so I could have a packzi that one of my coworkers is bringing in today for the office. This may seem a bit contradictory for “fat” tuesday, but it made me feel better about consuming fried dough…
February 12, 2013 at 8:19 am
What’s a packzi? Given you worked out a little extra for it, I’m sure it’s something good!
February 12, 2013 at 7:28 am
i’m kinda scared of mardi gras, the real deal. haha. I do celebrate fat tuesday though. We had kings cake and jambalaya too!
February 12, 2013 at 8:23 am
I know what you mean. I’ve heard a few sketchy tales about it myself!
February 12, 2013 at 7:38 am
Thanks for the reminder that it’s fat Tuesday! Too bad I have no reason to be a glutton today, because I never give up anything for lent. Maybe this year I’ll give up my worrying, and start living in the moment. Yes, that’s it! I love your “lower-fat Tuesday” idea. The recipe sounds fabulous.
February 12, 2013 at 8:20 am
If you succeed in giving up worrying, share your secret with me! Sounds like a good one.
February 12, 2013 at 9:04 am
Yummmm, red beans & rice! That looks delish! I normally don’t do much for Fat Tuesday, maybe I’ll use it as an excuse to have some drinks tonight
I need to think about the Lent thing a bit more, thanks for the reminder! Happy Fat Tuesday 
February 12, 2013 at 9:30 am
I’ve never been to mardi gras either. I want to though. I think I will give something up, although I usually focus on adding something positive in my life during the Lenten season.
Those red beans and rice look amazing!
February 12, 2013 at 10:01 am
I guess I’m no fun because I’m not giving anything up for lent. I’m also not celebrating fat tuesday. lol. The red beans and rice looks delicious!
February 12, 2013 at 11:33 am
Love red beans and rice! Perfect thing for Fat Tuesday. I haven’t figured out what I’m giving up for Lent. I know what I SHOULD give up. We’ll see what happens.
February 12, 2013 at 1:39 pm
St. Patrick’s Day is waaaayy better than Mardi Gras.
I’m not biased or anything (I’m Irish!). Love the pic.
February 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm
I wasn’t planning on giving anything up. I never do. But then I realized I need to start eating more wholesome foods so for lent, it’s goodbye to my nightly dessert habit and hello to more real foods. We’ll see how long I last without chocolate
February 12, 2013 at 10:45 pm
Yum! Looks great! I haven’t decided what I am giving up yet, but I guess I better start to think! I have to start tomorrow…haha!
February 12, 2013 at 11:53 pm
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras either… I’m not sure I could hang. LOL!