Classic Louisiana cuisine...red beans and rice

Since marrying my husband, I have learned to prepare a few regional favorites from Louisiana like gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.  Last night I made red beans for dinner and thought I would share it with you...my slightly healthified version.  Be prepared to start this the night before you want to cook them.  And it is not something you can throw in the pot and leave the house for a couple of hours...but you can squeeze in a quick trip to the store for drinks or dessert....

Red Beans and Rice

2 1 lb bags of dried small red beans

2 stalks celery

1 large onion

1 large green bell pepper

1 package beef sausage (I usually use Hillshire Farms Beef Sausage, 100% beef is better for flavor)

1 package smoked turkey sausage (like Jennie-O, Butterball, or Oscar Meyer--2/3 less fat :))

Salt to taste

Fresh Garlic to taste

Any other seasoning to give it a little kick...to taste (cayenne, red chili powder, pepper)

2-3 bay leaves

6 cups of prepared rice (I try to use brown rice-obviously a bit more nutritious, but use white if you prefer)

First, check beans for rocks or bad beans and then soak them...I put them in a large bowl, fill with water, and leave overnight.

Dice green peppers, onions, celery, and slice sausage down the middle and then into 1/2 inch slices.

Get a large skillet and begin browning the  sausage low-medium heat. (I do it this way so I don't have to add oil for caramelizing.)  Add veggies and caramelize if you have time (more flavorful).  If not, cook them until soft.   While veggies and sausage are cooking, drain and rinse beans.  Get a large pot and put in beans and cover with water 2-3 inches.  The more water you have, the thinner the broth will be.  Begin heating to a soft boil, then lower heat to a simmer.  After veggies and sausage are ready, dump into pot, add the bay leaves and garlic.

I have heard that adding salt at the beginning will toughen your beans.  I have added seasoning at the beginning and also 30 minutes to an hour into cooking.  I could not tell a difference, so it is up to you.  It will take more salt than you think.  I added a tablespoon and taste tested the beans several times during the cooking time and had to add more. But add in small amounts.  If it ends up too salty, you will have to have a glass of water to finish a bowl! If you find you have too much water once all the ingredients are added, cook with the lid off.  This will allow water to evaporate and condense your red beans and concentrate the flavors.  Stir beans every half hour to prevent burning on the bottom. Plan on at least 2 hours before this is ready.  If you plan on eating at a set time, make early and then keep warm on the stove until time to serve. 

The best part is how good it smells when you walk into the house after it has been cooking awhile...yum!

This recipe is great for either a large gathering or for leftovers for several days...which is nice when it means less cooking!

Another reason I love homeschooling...I don't have to get permission

I was at the dentist office the other day for my son's six month checkup.  It is hard to believe he only has two baby teeth left at eight years old.  One of those two teeth will be gone in another week or two.  As I was standing in line to check out, I had three people in front of me who had to get an excuse for their kids because they had to miss school for their appointments.  That made me think about how fortunate I was not to have permission to take care of my kids.  If they are sick, they can stay in bed for a week if they need to.  When they are sick for a week, I do not have to make an expensive trip to see a doctor in order to prove the illness.  I do not have to try and plan around school or make sure my son will not miss some test or big assignment because of routine healthcare needs.  I can schedule when it is best for us.

As a homeschool family, I am also able to go do things for others at the drop of a hat, like house sit for my mom when she goes on a retirement vacation.  I can just pack up the van and make it a vacation of my own.  That is what I got to do last week.  And we did a lot of things...without the confines of the school schedule.  We went to the zoo and took a leisurely stroll, unlike all the kids who were there on a field trip and had a limited amount of time.  We later hopped onto the train that took us over to the aquarium and botanical gardens.  We ate lunch while watching the sharks swim by.  Then we saw the miniature trains and the over-sized garden where the kids pretended to be lost in an ant colony.  We spent another morning at the natural history museum, ate some New Mexican food for lunch and came back to play at the children's science museum.  My son found his favorite spot in the chain reaction room where he got to build stuff with everything from pulleys and tinker toys to paperclips and bells.    And we did not have to prove to anyone what we had learned.  The kids were able to take in what interested them and leave the rest for another visit.

I think my kids had a favorite day in all this.  They got to do stuff they had never done before at a family game center.  We were able to take advantage of the special of the day (half priced arm bands) with very few people around.  We played miniature golf, rode go-karts, bumper boats, and bumper cars, and attempted laser tag.  A family fun experience that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

While on this week-long adventure, we were also able to see my grandad for his birthday...a blessing because he may not have too many left.

As a homeschooler, my kids also have the freedom to wear what they want everyday, as long as it is not offensive and of appropriate coverage (I have a daughter, so I have to start thinking about this even more...).  They can wear cutoffs, tank tops, dresses, pajamas, sweats, Mario shirts, Dora shirts, etc. and they will not be faced with being sent home or suspended a week before finals because the school decided to enforce the rule randomly.  My kids are also able to learn and experience life in a somewhat carefree environment, without peer pressure and a desire to fit in.  They can be themselves with me as a daily guide for learning proper social behavior without becoming ostracized in the school and forever being remembered as the kid that did xyz in first grade.

As a mom, I would probably pack lunches for my kids if they were in school.  At home, I do not have to get approval for what they eat.  While I am very conscious of what we eat in our home, I do not need an outsider deciding what my child is and is not allowed to eat.  And I never have to worry about whether or not they will get to eat if I lost track of paying for their school lunches.  They are at home and will never have to skip a meal because they could not pay a small balance on their account.

We live in a country that is free, but we allow others to dictate so much of our lives that I am not sure we can really call it freedom.  And while some of the intentions behind rules and laws are understandable, it can become quite ridiculous.  We as adults are treated just like the children we are raising...if you don't lay down the law and have a bunch of rules, you cannot expect parents to do what is best for their children.  In unschooling, I have learned that children do not need to be micromanaged, just loved and supported and forgiven.  I don't believe parents should be micromanaged either...just loved and supported and forgiven.   

What is something that you wish your school system did not make rules about?  And if you homeschool, what are you glad you do not have to do?