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I often fantasize about coming home from a long day to a delicious home cooked meal already made for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook.  I love real food.  I love getting creative in the kitchen, but sometimes I’m just not feeling the whole cookin’ thang.  Sometimes even a quick thirty minute meal is just too much energy for me to expel.  Sometimes I’m just plain weary.  When life gets to that point, that’s when I know it’s time to break out the slow cooker because she’s about to be put to work.  Right now I am at that point.  Weary is me.

I adore my slow cooker. She’s my friend.

Do you know what I hate about a slow cooker recipe though?  I despise the ones that have so many steps that you might as well have not even made them in the slow cooker.  I mean, if I’m going to make half of it in a skillet, I might as well keep it in the skillet.  Am I right?

On my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, I asked my readers if they would rather see a slow cooker week or a soup week.  While the vote was fairly close, slow cooker week won.  Moms and dads, rejoice!  We have a TON of slow cooker recipes coming your way.

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First up, is this super simple slow cooker red beans and rice.

It’s time to travel deep south to Cajun country, friends.

Cook’s Notes:  This dish has some spice to it.  Spice is an individual preference, so for this recipe, it is about a medium temperature.  If you prefer more heat, add more cayenne and black pepper.  If you prefer a more mild flavor, start with 1/8 tsp each and work your way up until you are happy with the heat profile.

My broth was unsalted, so I added 1 1/2 tsp of sea salt to this dish. If your broth is salted, start with 1/2 tsp salt and work your way up.  Remember, you can always add to, but you can’t take it out once it’s there.

Slow cooker red beans and rice
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Slow cooker red beans and rice

Red beans and rice made simple in the slow cooker.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. sausage andoille or smoked sausage both work, sliced on the diagonal
  • 1 1/2 cup dry small red beans
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1-2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 6 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • hot cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Add everything to the slow cooker, except rice.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
  4. Serve over hot rice.

Recipe Notes

This dish has some spice to it.  Spice is an individual preference, so for this recipe, it is about a medium temperature.  If you prefer more heat, add more cayenne and black pepper.  If you prefer a more mild flavor, start with 1/8 tsp each and work your way up until you are happy with the heat profile.
My broth was unsalted, so I added 1 1/2 tsp of sea salt to this dish. If your broth is salted, start with 1/2 tsp salt and work your way up.  Remember, you can always add to, but you can't take it out once it's there.