Cooking with California Dry Beans is an oldie but goodie cookbook. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print, but I have made it my mission to cook and share the recipes from this unique little book. It was first published sometime in the 1990’s, and packed with “some tried-and-true,” old fashioned bean recipes as well as fresh new ideas for good bean eating. I have shared a recipe before on the Bean Sack blog from this cookbook, but you are going to see more in the future.
This recipe for Shrimp and Red Beans Creole is one my husband’s regular requests…he often has three helpings! It is also delicious as leftovers.
Shrimp and Red Beans Creole
Makes 6-8 servings
First, the Creole sauce
Ingredients:
2 large onions, chopped
2 cups celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper cut in strips
1 (or 2) cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4-cup butter or oil
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 can (16 oz.) tomato sauce
1 bay leaf, broken
Hot pepper or hot pepper sauce to taste
Instructions:
Sauté onion, celery, green pepper and garlic in oil about 5 minutes. Combine flour, sugar, salt and paprika in a small bowl; sprinkle over vegetables. Add rest of ingredients and cook, stirring until slightly thickened. Cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes. (Add a little water is it gets too thick.)
1 2/3 cups drained red kidney beans, cooked or canned (one 16 oz. can)
1 pound medium cooked shrimp (remove tails)
6-8 cups cooked rice
Instructions:
About 20 minutes before serving, drain and rinse beans. Add beans and peeled and deveined shrimp to Creole sauce. Heat slowly but thoroughly. Serve on bed of hot rice.
Enjoy!
Marilyn
