Crockpot black beans & rice

12 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
poundsDried black turtle beans
1largeBell pepper (diced)
1Hot pepper (optional)
4dashesTabasco (optional)
4largesOnions (diced)
6clovesGarlic (diced)
¾cupCelery (diced)
¼cupParsley (minced)
2tablespoonsOregano (minced)
2tablespoonsBasil (minced)
2Bay leaves
1pinchCloves (2 to 3)
½teaspoonGround cumin
4Beef boullion cubes
2tablespoonsVinegar (add last)
1poundsLean bulk pork sausage
1poundsPork (boneless cubed)
1poundsStew beef chunks
½poundsHam, smoked (1/2\" cubes)
poundsSmoked link sausage cut into
1\" to 2\" lengths
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Beans: Wash and look for gravel then soak overnight in a bowl being sure beans are well covered with water. For cooking use a large crock pot.

Meats: First, brown bulk sausage in a skillet and pour off excess grease. Add other meats and stir to brown. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, celery, and spices. Salt and pepper moderately, taste after cooking several hours and add more if needed.

Add beans and soak water. If necessary add more water to cover entire ingredients by at least two inches. Stir in four bouillon cubes.

Cover and cook on crock pot high for three hours then turn to low for at least six hours.

I like to use the crock pot and leave it cooking on low overnight. I stir it about twice and sometimes find it necessary to add water. If it gets too thin, take about ½ cup of beans and mash with a fork until pasty to add back as a thickener. About an hour before serving stir in vinegar.

I enjoy hot and spicy foods so I like to add the hot pepper (jalapeno, habanero or whatever you like) and Tabasco. If you don't like it hot, then leave them out or serve the Tabasco at the table.

Serve beans and meat over rice. I have found brown rice to be quite tasty but white rice is fine too. Serve in a soup bowl and top with fresh chopped onion.

Roy Olsen, roy@...