Red Beans & Rice Salad

By ltrodrigu

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh red beans
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 2 white onions, halved
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 3 dried red chilies
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 6 strips bacon
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 8 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound andouille sausage, chopped
• 2 cups white rice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bunch scallions, whites and 1 inch of greens, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley

Details

Servings 10
Adapted from online.wsj.com

Preparation

Step 1

Place beans in a colander. Pick out and discard any shriveled or broken beans, and rinse with cold water.

Add beans, ham, white onions, bay leaves, thyme, chilies and kosher salt to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low and cook at a gentle simmer until beans are tender but not too soft, stirring and skimming occasionally, 30 minutes. Strain beans over another pot, reserving broth and discarding ham and other seasonings.

Meanwhile, fry bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until at least 2 tablespoons fat render out, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon and add celery, green pepper, Vidalia onions and garlic. Sauté over medium-low heat, stirring and scraping up any remaining bits of bacon from pan, until vegetables are just soft, about 4 minutes. Set aside in a large bowl. Rinse and dry skillet, set over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5-6 minutes. Add sausage to vegetable mixture.

Bring 4½ cups strained broth and rice to a boil in a pot set over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar, mustard, remaining oil and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl until emulsified.

Fluff rice and allow to cool slightly. Add beans and rice to vegetable-sausage mixture and toss with vinaigrette. Add scallions and parsley and toss again. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve cold or at room temperature, with hot sauce on the side.