WHAT'S COOKIN' (Red Beans and Rice)

RED BEANS AND RICE WITH SAUSAGE

This is my husband favorite dish. Every Monday in New Orleans is "Red Beans and Rice day" and his mother would cook a big pot full, the addition of Smoke Sausage
originated in the southern section of Louisiana. The Red Beans are delicious with or without the smoke sausage.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound Red Beans
1-2 pounds smoked neck bones
2 pounds of Andouille or Kielbasa Sausage
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, chopped
3 large bay leaves
2 tablespoons chili power
1 to 1 ½ Tablespoons paprika
salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups of cooked rice
Soak beans overnight, or about 6 hours, in enough water to cover all beans, drain water, then cover with fresh water. Let beans remain in this water until ready to cook.
Clean smoked neck bones (there is a brain stem that runs down the neck of the pig), When the bones are chopped, the stern can be found in the channel-like opening, remove it.
Boil the bones on until they are ½ the way tender using enough water to cover, through the boiling period maintain this level of water.
Add the onions bell pepper, celery and minced garlic.
Add all seasonings except salt. Drain water from the beans add to pot and cover.
Cook at medium heat for 30 minutes, reduced heat to simmer and cook until the beans are tender. Be sure to check for seasoning and add salt.
Meanwhile slice the smoked sausage in 1" to 2" pieces. Place in baking pan in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, drain off and discard the fatty liquid.
Add sausage to the pot of beans and neck bones. Continue to cook until the beans are fully tender when pierced with a fork, skim off all visible fat.

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WHY FEBRUARY FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February was chosen for Black History Month because of its historical significance-both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass celebrated birthday during the month.
President Lincoln changed the future for Black Americans with the Emancipation. Douglass, born into slavery in 1818, was the nation’s foremost 19th century African-American spokesperson and leader in the civil Right

THE ROOTS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The tribute to black history is rooted in the work of scholar
Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. In 1926, Dr. Woodson introduced Negro History Week in an effort to focus national attention on the great achievements of Black people throughout American history. In 1976, as part of our nation’s Bicentennial celebration, this weeklong observance was officially designated Black History Month.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

This is Black History Month and I would like to share some of the inspiration stories of African American that has encourages myself, families, friends and other individuals to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.

WHAT'S COOKIN' IN FEBRUARY

It’s another month, this year is moving right along, and I’m still writing 2008. The weather is warm outside and sometime filled with gray sky, this is a good time for warm your bones dinners. This month I would like to share some of our One-Pot meal recipes, that has been pass down to us. My father great grandmother told him the story of one-pot meal, he said during slavery the corn rations which were sometimes the only food allotted to the slaves, unless they were given the "leftover" and "undesirable" cuts of meat from their masters. Slaves would supplement their food with wild game and fish pulled from the streams. Squirrel and possum figure among the meats used, catfish, trout, and shrimp among the fish. The women worked in the fields or up at the big house, 16 to 18 hours a day they were often too tired and didn’t have time to make a full meal. Most food requires the use of only one pot, so they served one-pot meals to their family know as "good times" food. The evening meal was a time for families to get together. The big pots became a meal for both body and soul. It was during the meal that the oral history was re-told, forbidden religious ceremonies held, family and friends visited. If you have any question or clarification, I would love comments this will help me create a place were you would enjoy returning to.