Shelly's Recipe

SPICY RED BEANS WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE

Category: Casseroles - Pork

1/4 lb dry smoked sausage meat, sliced (such as Andouille sausage, or use as much as desired)
3 tbsp oil (or as needed)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tsp crushed red chili flakes (or adjust to heat level)
6-8 cloves garlic, finely chopped (use lots of garlic!)
2 tbsp mild chili powder (can use chipotle chili powder)
1 tsp paprika
2 cups tomato sauce (can add in more)
1 (14-oz) can stewed tomatoes, with juice (do not drain)
2 (15-oz) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Tabasco sauce or Louisiana hot sauce
1-2 tsp sugar, optional
Cooked rice

In a pot brown the smoked sausage in a small amount of oil until browned; set aside.

Add additional oil to the pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add in onion, chopped garlic, green bell pepper and chili flakes; saute until soft (about 5 minutes. Add in chopped garlic, chili powder and paprika; cook stirring for 2-3 minutes.

Add in tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes with juice, kidney beans and the browned smoked sausage; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat stirring. Reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 1 hour seasoning with salt and pepper and hot sauce about halfway through cooking and 1-2 tsp of sugar if needed (if the sauce gets too thick you may add in a little water and continue cooking). Serve over cooked rice Serves 4