Crockpot Red Beans and Rice

As a child I didn’t care for beans. My mom had a rule that we had to eat it unless we hated it. Beans was just a dislike for me so I had to eat it. Now as an adult I love beans. I sick the step of soaking the beans. I just cook them longer and they come out PERFECT! No soaking needed.
I was recently asked by a reader if I had a recipe for red beans and rice. I do make them, but hadn’t in a while. So I decided it was time to write up a recipe for them. So I got to work. I made this a crockpot recipe because I was busy all day and didn’t have time to cook beans on the stove.

Crockpot Red Beans Recipe:

Ingredients:

16 ounces dry red beans
1 large bell pepper
1 large onion
1/2-1 poblano pepper (depends on how hot you want it) I did half and it had no heat
1 ham hock or smoked jowl
1 clove garlic
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf
6 cups water
12 ounces ham cubes
6-8 cups cooked rice

Directions:

Place all ingredients EXCEPT HAM CUBES and RICE. Give it a stir and place your crockpot on high. Cook 4-6 hours.

Remove lid and the ham. I take my potato masher and give the pot about 3 mashes. This opens a few of the beans and makes an amazing gravy out of the juices.

Replace lid for about 15 minutes, just enough to warm the ham. Serve over hot rice and enjoy!