Red Beans & Rice

© Nick Young

Traditional red beans and rice recipes use ham hocks and bacon grease for a lot of the flavor. Obviously I could not use any of that but I think this vegetarian version turned out pretty tasty.

I didn't refer to any of the conventional recipes, I just put together the ingredients I thought would work well for a vegetarian take this southern staple.


1 lb dried red kidney beans
2 cubes Knorr vegetable bouillion
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 chopped red onion
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic

Soak and cook the beans according to package instructions. After about an hour of cooking, add the bouillon cubes and half the onion to the beans and continue to simmer. As the beans and liquid start to thicken add the salt, paprika, garlic and red pepper flakes.

Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Once the beans have thickened, serve over the rice and garnish with some raw onion and chopped cilantro.

Enjoy!