Faldir Recipes: Red Beans and Rice

In Game: Faldir is a farming community in a warm-weather climate near to rainforest. It has ample access to a wide variety of spices, and as such favors heavily-spiced and flavored food. Red Beans has no particular significance, but is a good example of the sort of stewing-food-together style that is typical for a daily meal in Faldir. It would be normal for a meal to have fresh fruit on the side (we did mango on location day).

Out of Game: This is the main dish we ate during location day for Faldir back in September. It is modeled after a more Puerto Rican style rather than a Creole style of red beans, but either is plausible in Faldir. A word of warning: this makes a massive amount of food. You may wish to halve the recipe for a normal meal.

Ingredients (Red Beans):

• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 Jalapeno, minced
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1-2 Small Yellow Potatoes, chopped finely
• 1 Quart Vegetable Broth (or chicken broth)
• 3 Cans Kidney Beans
• 2-3 Tbsp Tomato Sauce
• 1.5 Cups Cilantro, chopped roughly
• 1/3 Cup Green Olives (with pimentos), chopped
• ——————————
• 1 Tsp Coriander
• 1 Tsp Cumin
• 1 Tsp Turmeric
• 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tsp Paprika
• 1 Tsp Cayenne
• 2 Bay Leaves
• Salt (to taste – I use a tablespoon)

Directions (Red Beans):

1. Oil a large pot and add the onions; cook on medium heat (stirring intermittently) until semi-translucent.
2. Add the green bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic; continue to cook (stirring intermittently) on medium heat until slightly soft.
3. Add the vegetable broth and turn the heat to high. Add the spices, tomato sauce, potatoes, and beans, then cover and bring to a boil.
4. Simmer (covered) for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
5. Uncover and add the cilantro and olives; simmer for 5-6 more minutes until both are integrated and heated through.

Variations: (1) Andouille sausage is a good addition; if you’re using vegetarian sausages then pre-cook them and add then on step #5; if you’re using meat sausages I have no idea, but would guess roughly the same. (2) Peas are another good addition; I would add ~3/4 cup along with the beans. 

Ingredients (Yellow Rice):

• 3 Cups Jasmine Rice
• 1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
• 4 Cloves Garlic, chopped
• 1 Cube Bouillon (vegetable or chicken)
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 2 Tbsp Cumin
• Salt (to taste – I use a couple teaspoons)

Directions (Yellow Rice):

1. Cook as if cooking the same quantity of plain rice (with the same quantity of water and same cooking time), but throw everything in at the beginning and stir well.
2. You may wish to stir periodically during cooking to ensure that the spices mix well.