Johnsonville Cajun Celebration

About two months ago my sister let me know about a great FREE GIVEAWAY from Johnsonville sausage. The giveaway was for a Cajun Celebration Kit. I had entered, as so many others did, and won one of the kits. Their was a glitch on Johnsonvilles side and too many applied, more than the allowed number of kits. At first Johnsonville said sorry we cannot send out all the kits. I was very disappointed because I was really excited about this giveaway, as 1,000s of other people were. A few weeks later Johnsonville came back and apologzied and honored the giveaway to everyone who had entered. I actually forgot about the kit until a UPS driver came to my door the other day.

The box was a bit heavy, about 4lbs! I cut it open to find a box filled with goodies! GREAT coupons inside, full sized products, some Mardi Gras beads and masks as well as recipes, an apron and cutting board.

Kit includes: 3 Mardi Gras masks, beads, apron, recipes, magnet, measuring spoons, cutting board, reusable bag, 1 can of Red Gold Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, 1 bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce and a magnetic shopping list. Coupons that were included in kit: $1 off Pompeian Olive Oil, FREE Red Gold Product ANY VARIETY, $1 off Klondike brand potatoes, BOGO FREE Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices, FREE ANY Uncle Bens Ready Rice and a FREE 1 Package, Any Flavor Johnsonville Premium Cooking Sausage.



I was going to wait til the weekend to make something from the recipe booklet I received but couldn't wait! I looked through the recipes and found one I liked, Red Beans & Rice. I love to cook! I also love to come up with my own thing, or take two recipes and combine them. I did follow the recipe somewhat, I didn't add some ingredients and cut some in half. We aren't 'full' onion type of people. I know you cook until soften but we can still taste them. I don't want the dish to be overpowered by onions.




Red Beans & Rice

3 tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 14.5oz cans of Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed (I used 2 but I think 1 1/2 is enough)
2 c. Rachel Ray chicken stock (I have noticed that the Rachel Ray brand is a bit healthier than Swansons)
1 tbls. McCormick Gourmet Cajun Seasoning (less if you don't like it spicey)
1 tbls. garlic, minced
1/4 yellow onion, minced (This is 1/4 of a large onion, not 1/4 cup. Again we aren't big onion people, but recipe calls for 1 large onion)
1 8oz. Uncle Bens Original Ready Rice, cooked following package directions
1 13.5 oz Johnsonville Premium Anouille Sausage, sliced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 10oz can Red Gold Tomatoes w/Green Chile, not drained (Rotel will work, I had received this can free in my kit)
Salt & Pepper to taste

In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and saute onions until soften. Add celery and garlic cook until garlic is lightly browned. Add sausage and stir ingredients until everything is combined. Cook for about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to package directions. Add the tomatoes, rice, Cajun seasoning, beans and about 1/4tsp. of salt. Stir in chicken broth and cover, cook for about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to your liking.

Serves 3-4, hubby and I both had 2 bowls and still had a large bowl full left.

*What I like to do is add salt and pepper after each step. I just add a pinch here and there to give the food some flavor. Something I have learned from Food Network TV.