Rice and Red Beans, Large Meal For The Hungry, Frugal Meals
Feed a Large Group, Frugally
Do you have a program for feeding the hungry in your town? Is there a soup kitchen you know of that may be looking for another recipe to feed a whole bunch of people? One winter I was barely surviving. Too proud to put up with the harassment of those who hate people getting help from the USDA, I lived on a food budget of an average of $20.00. That was in 2011 in Arkansas.
No matter how scarce the resources, it is important to put the best ingredients into our bodies. It seems that the healthier eating lifestyle is for those who have more. The poor often have a choice of fresh veggies and fruit for a couple of days, but then all one can afford seems to be made of carbohydrates and sugar. It is important to research what we eat and drink.
The processed meats in this recipe are not the healthiest available, but beans and rice do make a perfect protein and that is much needed by people who are living on the streets, or in poverty housing.
Once you have prepared this, hopefully will pass this on to other shelters and places who feed a lot of people.
This is also good if you have a rowdy group of teens or tweens coming over on Saturday with an already stretched beyond pinched budget. What can you make to satisfy the hunger of all of those stomachs?
In a few hours you can feed a bunch of people a meal high in fiber, carbohydrates and vitamins. This recipe is quick to prepare, easy to serve, and simple to freeze or refrigerate if there are any leftovers. Enjoy.
The Importance of Researching Your Food
How To Wash & Rinse Rice by Shuji Ozeki
Red Beans and Rice, Various Stages of Readiness
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Ingredients
- 2 16 oz cans red beans, Pre-Soaked
- 1 16 oz package sausage, kielbasa, polish, hot, mild
- 1/2 bell pepper, Orange
- 1 16 oz package white rice, long grain
- 4 -16 garlic, cloves
- 1/2 small onion, purple
- To Taste - 4 TBLs Cajun seasoning, Tony Chacheres
- 1 Tablespoon Sea salt
- 6 Quarts water
- 4 oz ham, cured or smoked, diced
Cook Time
Red Beans and Rice Frugal Meal For A Bunch
- Use a stock pot or lidded pan, large enough for 4.5 pound / 2.05 kilograms of food. Use this to cook white rice according to instructions on rice package.
- When water is almost absorbed, and rice is fluffy, remove from heat. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Remove from pot. Set aside in a heat resistant bowl.
- Put cleaned stock pot on largest back burner. Set burner on medium to medium high. Dump both cans of drained red beans into the pot. Toss in browned sausage, and diced ham.
- While beans are frying gently in the pot, use another skillet, on medium low heat,to stir-fry with light butter, toss onions, garlic and bell pepper until all sides of veggies have been brazed.
- In stock pot,of red beans, sausage and ham, combine brazed veggies, and water to cover mixture. Add cajun seasonings. Set burner on medium low, stir every 20 to 30 minutes. Cook time about 4 hours.
- alternative: instead of putting into pot on the stove, use a 6QT or larger crock pot or slow cooker. As mixture reaches soupy consistency, turn crock pot on high. Carefully transfer beans, sausage, and vegetables to pot. Add enough water to cover. Put lid on, high 4 hours.
- When your beans, veggies and meat are about 3.5 hours in, mix in cooked, rinsed rice. Stir gently and thoroughly. Keep on low heat during serve times.
- Any leftovers, need to be cooled uncovered, and after cooling, put in refrigerator or freeze leftovers.
Frugal Meal - Good For Shelter or Cooking Over Fire
- 1 pound or .45 kg of uncooked, long grain white rice $2.00
- 2 cans pre-soaked red beans $3.00
- 1 pound or .45 kg of sausage $3.50
- Ham $2.50
- Bell Pepper $2.00
- Garlic & Onion $1.50
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$14.50
These prices are approximate. This batch can feed over a dozen people, or a small family for several days. These are U.S.D. in the Southern portion of North America.
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Nutrition facts and analysis for red beans
- Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Beans, kidney, california red, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, withou
Nutrition facts and Information for Beans, kidney, california red, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt
Red beans and rice frugal feed a bunch
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 Cup | |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. |
disclaimer:
All rights reserved Photo of ™Burgers' Country Ham was taken by me, but Trademark of Burgers.
© 2012 Lori J Latimer
