Chili

• cooking oil, as needed
• 3 cups onions, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2½ lbs ground beef
• 4 tablespoons ground chili powder, preferably dark
• 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 (15-ounce) cans dark kidney beans
• 1 can original Rotel tomatoes
• 3 cups beef broth, or more as needed
• salt, as needed
• cornmeal, optional

Garnish options

• sour cream, 
• grated sharp Cheddar
• diced onion
• sliced green onions
• chopped fresh cilantro
• jalapeño pepper slices
• corn chips
• saltine crackers
• hot pepper sauce
• lime wedges

Tailgate Chili With Rotel, Kidney Beans, Ground Beef 

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• 1 lb dried red beans
• ​1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, chopped
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• ​1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups egg wash (lightly beaten egg)
• salt and pepper
• ​oil for frying

Poached Egg and Red Bean Cakes

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• 1 pound Andouille sausage (smoked sausage may be substituted)
• 10 eggs
• 2 cups red beans, cooked (16 ounce can of red beans may be substituted)
• ​2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
• ​1/2 cup green onion, finely chopped
• ​salt and pepper to taste

Red Bean Omelet

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• 2 pounds dried red  beans
• 3 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced green onion
• 1/3 cup minced parsley
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 pounds total of a mix of seasoning ham (cubed), tasso* (cubed), andouille, and/or smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil
• water as needed
• Salt to taste
• Steamed rice for serving
• Hot sauce

*Tasso is seasoned smoked pork butt; click here for John Folse's Tasso recipe for ideas on what seasonings to use if you don't have access to tasso.

Susan's Red Beans and Rice

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• 1 pound Camillia red beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, (about 3 toes)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pound ham or turkey tasso 
• 4 smoked ham hocks
• Tony Chachere's seasoning to taste
• Tabasco to taste
• Chopped green onions, for serving
• hot cooked rice for serving
• French bread for serving

Easiest Ever Red Beans

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• 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes and mild green chilis (Rotels works here)
• 16 ounce can red beans, rinsed and drained
• 14 ounce can vegetable broth
• 4 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed (about 1½ lb)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Sweet Potato Stew With Red Beans

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• 1 lb red beans
• 1 lb Smoked ham hock
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• salt and pepper and Creole seasoning to taste
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 stick butter

Chef Buster Holmes' Red Beans and Rice

Oysters

• 1 bag ZAPP'S Crawtator Chips 
• 2 cups instant potato flakes
• 1/8 cup Creole seasoning
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 25 Gulf oysters (shucked and picked free of shells)
• Oil for frying
• salt and pepper to taste 

Red Bean Gravy

• 1 stick butter
• 4 pieces sliced bacon, cut into small strips
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups cooked red beans
• 1/4 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/4 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Louisiana-style hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste

 Crawtator Crusted Gulf Oysters with Red Bean Gravy

Click for Video of Cooking Demonstration