Oh when the Saints, go marching in.....they'll be eating red beans and rice!

There are few things that make me as happy as watching my New Orleans Saints!  Been a fan since Day One.  Sat in the Superdome WITHOUT a bag on my head during the "Aints" years.  Made my boss at work install a big screen t.v. and get NFL Ticket, or I wouldn't work on Sunday.  Cried when I saw what that bitch Katrina did to the Dome and cried again, this time with joy, when my Saints came marching back in the Dome the next September.  Gloated for a month when we won the Superbowl and never gave up until the last second ticked off the clock last year.  So you can imagine the my delight when I saw this PINK jersey!  I have politely asked my children ( on Facebook so everyone will know) to give this to me for Christmas.  Right now, there's a little more Contessa than the Contessa would like there to be, so a trim down is in order!

So, in keeping with the trim down theme, I offer my Red Beans and Rice recipe!  Enjoy!

  This is a recipe for one since I live alone.  Just double or quadruple or whatever you need to do!

1/4 cup dried kidney beans
1 cup frozen onion and pepper mix ( I use Pict-Sweet)
1 Morningstar Farms Hot and Spicy "Sausage" patty
1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
salt and pepper to taste
Crystal Hot Sauce to taste
1/4 cup brown rice (dry measure)

Cook your red beans like you always do , using the garlic, salt and pepper and hot sauce during the cooking.

When your beans are done, start your rice ( I use the slow cooking rice, it's cheaper!) .  While your rice is cooking, add the onions and peppers and the patty to your beans.  Don't worry about thawing the patty.  Just let it cook and break it up as it cooks.

That's it!  It's lighter and healthier than what I used to make, but it's full of flavor.  And this makes a BIG serving for about 300 calories.

Now don't blow it with garlic bread...just get some 40 calorie bread, add some Olivio and garlic salt and you're set!

Wash it down with a Michelob Ultra ( 95 calories) and you'll be comforted, but not uncomfortable!!

Happy Eatin' Y'all!