Cajun food is close to my heart since my mom I from Louisiana and recently after a long and grey cloudy day, I decided to make a recipe that’s pretty familiar to me: spicy beans and rice. I have a great cookbook for Cajun food by Elizabeth Choate (Yes, from the TV show Swamp People!) that featured a delicious looking recipe for Mama Ella’s White Beans, so I decided to adapt that. I made a couple of changes based off of what was in my pantry at the time, but I bet the original recipe is finger-lickin’ good!

Cajun-Style Spicy White and Black Beans (Adapted from Mama Ella’s White Beans)

4 pounds of beans (I mixed black and white, the recipe calls for all white)

4 quarts of water

½ an onion, diced (Home-grown; it’s in season!)

2 cloves of fresh minced garlic

1 chopped green bell pepper (My addition; also in season!)

1 cup of finely diced green onions (this makes a real difference in the flavor)

½ a stick of butter (the recipe calls for lard, which I do not have)

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

A dash of tabasco (My addition; Cajun food can’t do without!)

White rice, for a side.

Soak the beans either overnight in water, or for a few hours before cooking.

Add them to a large pot with water, onion, seasonings, bell pepper, garlic and green onions.

Cook for about an hour, stirring every so often.

Add the tabasco and salt, cook for another hour or so.

*The trick to squishy, delicious beans: Right before the beans are done cooking, take 2 cups out of the pot and blend or smash them. Add them back to the pot and stir well.

Serve with a side of white rice (I mixed mine in) and enjoy!

The Gator Queen Liz Cookbook by Elizabeth Choate is a great entry (or delightful return) into authentic Cajun food. Featuring unique recipes calling for duck, nutria, squirrel and even alligator, there will be something for everyone, hunter or not, to enjoy.

What’s your favorite Cajun recipe?

**Disclaimer: I received this book as a review copy. I was not compensated monetarily for this or any other post on Aquaberry Bliss and, as always, opinions are my own.**

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Adan, Gator Queen Liz Cookbook

By Elizabeth Adan

Elizabeth Adan is a Freelance Writer, Publicist and Brand Ambassador. Her blog Aquaberry Bliss is a unique outdoor lifestyle blog dedicated to expanding your world and inspiring your creativity. When Elizabeth isn’t traveling, you’ll find her writing, hiking or gardening. Find Elizabeth on Twitter @stillaporcupine and on LinkedIn.