Red Beans and Rice! Oh My God So Good!

Am I the only one who associates food with memories of family? Well I always tie certain meals to my favorite times in my life. My mother every year without fail for New Years Day would make red beans and rice to celebrate. I remember the smell of pork meat (bacon, ham hawks, ham bones) stewing slow in the crock pot to prepare for the beginning of the year.

It would always be so hard for me to not open that damn lid to taste due to the aroma. You know anytime you slow cook anything in a crock pot it is the best smells in the world. Oh God yum! Yes I had a fat girl moment and I would appreciate you holding your judgement until the end of my post.

I was always on rice duty. Once my mom taught me how to cook she just dead stop preparing rice while I lived with her. Her reasoning for telling me to do it every time was she thought it was in my blood to prepare perfect rice due to my Nigerian heritage. I would tell her mom “you know that’s racist?” she would just laugh and pass me the rice pot.

While I fixed the rice my mom would get the chicken ready to fry. When I prepared this meal a week ago I fried my chicken a little differently. I did a buttermilk fried chicken. My mom does it old school but don’t get it twisted that crispy skin is EVERYTHING.

Anyway I fried my chicken, left my beans on simmer, and prepared my rice on my plate. I made some corn muffins as well. They were delicious. You know your muffin is good when you can eat it cold. I am just saying! I fixed my plate and transported myself back home. Red beans and rice is and was a staple in my house.

I only hope to carry the tradition on. Happy cooking…

xoxo
Jersey