Red Beans, Ground Beef & Sausage

Yesterday we finally had our red beans and rice. This is the post where I canned 19 quarts of red beans, ground beef and sausage.

That’s the day I convinced Vince that we needed a gas stove in the basement garage to keep the heat out of the main living area.

Here’s the post where the recipe is included, as well as a video that may help.

Yesterday Vince had to go to town to get some “stuff” that he needs. The radon work will happen Monday, hopefully. The weather doesn’t look great but I think most of it happens inside. He again mentioned me going to town with him and eating out. I told him . . I REALLY want beans and rice today so he was fine with that.

I told Vince that other than boiled crawfish, which doesn’t happen here, this is my favorite meal. After eating, Vince told me he thinks that’s his favorite meal too. He said “I could have this once a week and be happy!” I told him . . good, I’ll can 52 jars of it.

Then we had the discussion about why I would can it instead of fixing it fresh and I’m sure someone is wondering the same thing.

1. I always plan on meals that would be quick to fix if there’s no power. I can cook a pot of rice, open a jar of beans and heat them up much faster than I could cook dry beans from scratch.
2. If I’m going to cook beans, I’m probably going to cook a whole pound, which means we either have to freeze some or we have beans every day for a week.
3. One quart of this is almost perfect for us to have for a meal, with just enough left for Vince to have the leftovers with a salad or a sandwich for a second meal.

I used 4 pounds of beans, 4 pounds of ground beef and maybe 2 pounds of sausage to get 19 quarts. I think I’ll go for 21 quarts so I can fill both canners and have enough leftover for a meal (or two) so I’ll probably use 5 pounds of beans, 7 pounds of ground beef and 3 pounds of sausage. I don’t eat the sausage, I like it for flavor but Vince likes to eat it. I think my goal is going to be to get that done next week. I want to get this kind of canning done before summer when I have to deal with the garden.