Amy Jean Nobles
Red Smoke Vegan Red Beans and Rice
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Red Smoke Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Slow-cooked kidney beans in a velvet-smoke gravy with charred plant sausage over fluffy rice.

Prep

25m

Cook

6h Low

Serves

6-8 Bowls

The Science

Starch Gelatinization: As we cook those beautiful beans low and slow, the heat breaks down the starch granules. By smashing a portion of the beans at the end, we release those starches to create a velvet-thick gravy without ever needing a drop of heavy cream or animal fat.

Ingredients

The Red Smoke Protein

  • 1 pkgBeyond Meat Beyond Sausage: Hot Italian
  • 1 tbspSmoked Paprika: Tier 1 Vahdam
  • 1 tspLiquid Smoke: Wright's Hickory
  • 1 tbspVegan Butter: Country Crock Plant Butter

The "Holy Trinity"

  • 1 lbCamellia Brand Dry Red Kidney Beans: Tier 1 Raw
  • 1Yellow Onion: Diced
  • 1Green Bell Pepper: Diced
  • 2 stalksCelery: Diced
  • 4 clovesFresh Garlic: Minced

The Slow-Simmer Base

  • 6 cupsVegetable Broth: Pacific Foods Organic
  • 1 tbspSlap Ya Mama Low Sodium Seasoning
  • 2Bay Leaves: Tier 1 Deep South
  • 1 tspPure Black Pepper: McCormick

The Fluffy Foundation

  • 2 cupsBen's Original Converted Rice
  • 1 bunchGreen Onions: Garnish

Method

  1. 1

    The Soak and Prep

    Rinse your Camellia Dry Beans and soak them overnight, or use the quick-boil method. Dice your Trinity (Onion, Pepper, Celery) small so they can melt into the sauce.

  2. 2

    Sear the Red Smoke Sausage

    Heat a skillet to Medium-High with the plant butter. Slice the Beyond Sausage on a steep diagonal. Toss in the Smoked Paprika and Liquid Smoke. Fry until they look dark red and blackened on the edges. Scrape everything into the Crock Pot.

  3. 3

    The Long Marriage

    Add the soaked beans, Trinity, minced garlic, broth, seasonings, and bay leaves to the Crock Pot. Stir well. Cover and cook until the beans are perfectly tender and creamy (about 6 hours on Low).

  4. 4

    The Mash (Chef Secret)

    About 30 minutes before serving, take a heavy spoon and smash a cup of beans against the side of the pot. Stir it back in. You'll see the liquid turn into a thick, luxurious gravy right before your eyes.

  5. 5

    Serve with Fluffy Rice

    Prepare your Ben's Original Rice in the cooker. Scoop the firm, fluffy rice into bowls and ladle the creamy beans and smoky sausage over the top. Garnish with green onions for that bright, fresh snap.

Choosing plant-based sausage and beans over pork for this tradition saves ~1,200 gallons of water. Your soul and the planet are both nourished!