Red Beans and Rice with Ham

My most creative times in the kitchen are when I am trying to use up whatever is in my fridge.  If it’s after a holiday when we have leftover ham, I like to make Red Beans and Rice with Ham.  It’s a great way to use up the leftovers.   I much prefer this over a ham sandwich.

I like to serve it with a scoop of fluffy white rice.  For those that like it spicy, have some extra crushed red pepper available.

I enjoy this dish so much that I also make it with ham that I purchase already cubed.  At my local grocery store, Meijer, it’s sold near the bacon.  You can also use andouille sausage or some other smoked sausage.  

This recipe is easy and quick to put together.   To top that off, it also freezes well!  I freeze individual portions with rice on the bottom covered with the beans and ham.  When serving after making it, I do the opposite.  I plate the beans and ham in a bowl and serve with a scoop of rice on top.

My Recipe for Red Beans and Rice with Ham

Garnish with sliced green onions for extra color and flavor

Ingredients for recipes like these never have to be exact.  I often don’t even measure.  

If you prefer to add more vegetables or more ham, go for it.  You can also stretch it out by adding an extra can of beans.  Just adjust the seasoning accordingly as you go by the taste test.  You may also have to add more water.

1 Green Pepper, chopped

1 Onion, chopped

2 Stalks Celery, sliced

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

1 Can Dark Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained

8  oz. Cubed Ham (fully cooked)

Olive Oil

1 Bay Leaf

1/2 Teaspoon Oregano

1/2 – 1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning, or to taste

Crushed Red Pepper to taste

Salt & Pepper (Note:  There may be salt in the Cajun Seasoning)

1 Cup Rice

Green Onions, sliced

Get ready to make this wonderful combination of flavors.

Directions

Sauté onion, celery and green pepper in olive oil until soft.  Add minced garlic and cook for one minute.   Add kidney beans, bay leaf and other spices plus 1 can of water.  Simmer on low.

Prepare rice.  Rinse 1 cup of rice in cold water.  Drain.  Add rice to a medium-sized pot with 2 cups water and some salt.  Bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir and reduce to simmer.  Cover and cook for 15 minutes.  Turn stove off and let rice sit for 5 minutes with cover on.

 The key to fluffy rice is letting it sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking.

While rice is cooking, add ham to bean mixture and continue to simmer to heat through.  Remember, the ham is already cooked so you don’t have to cook it long.

Remove bay leaf and discard.  Plate red beans and ham in individual bowls.  Serve with a scoop of rice and garnish with green onions.

You will be amazed at the incredible flavor for a meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.  Enjoy!

Red Beans and Rice with Ham

 

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Ingredients for recipes like these never have to be exact. I often don’t even measure. If you prefer to add more vegetables or more ham, go for it. You can also stretch it out by adding an extra can of beans. Just adjust the seasoning accordingly as you go by the taste test. You may also have to add more water.

Author: OMG Lifestyle Blog

Ingredients

• 1 Green Pepper, chopped
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 2 Stalks Celery, sliced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 Can Dark Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
• 8 oz. Cubed Ham (fully cooked)
• Olive Oil
• 1 Bay Leaf
• ½ Teaspoon Oregano
• ½ – 1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning, or to taste
• Crushed Red Pepper to taste
• Salt & Pepper (Note: There may be salt in the Cajun Seasoning)
• 1 Cup Rice
• Green Onions, sliced
• Get ready to make this wonderful combination of flavors.

Instructions

1. Sauté onion, celery and green pepper in olive oil until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for one minute.
3. Add kidney beans, bay leaf and other spices plus 1 can of water. Simmer on low.
5. Prepare rice. Rinse 1 cup of rice in cold water. Drain. Add rice to a medium-sized pot with 2 cups water and some salt. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir and reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Turn stove off and let rice sit for 5 minutes with cover on.
7. While rice is cooking, add ham to bean mixture and continue to simmer to heat through. Remember, the ham is already cooked so you don’t have to cook it long.
9. Remove bay leaf and discard. Plate red beans and ham in individual bowls. Serve with a scoop of rice and garnish with green onions.

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