In My Heart, I'm Cajun {Giveaway}

*This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced soon in a new post.*

On our long, long trip home two weeks (from this trip) ago, we found ourselves speeding down a highway in the middle of swamps. I am not kidding. 

It's called Louisiana.

My hubby decided we needed to learn more about this unknown-to-us land, only four hours from home, so he stopped at a fancy rest stop, complete with an Education Center. [Okay, it was really a complete accident we stopped there, or I should say we were trying to avoid an accident and took the first immediate exit.  Because. Y'all. This bladder ain't what it used to be and I was doing a serious dance in the front seat. I even begged a little).

So, we potty'ed and took a quick tour--complete with a talking bird and turtle--it was like Disney all over again (I am not making fun of you, Louisiana, don't be sensitive). It was really cool.

Anyway.

We hopped back in our car and do you know what The Hubby and I wanted in SOME KIND OF BAD WAY?

Cajun Food.

Because we may not be experts on Louisiana, but we know good food.

So. We stopped at Popeye's. (Again, not joking, we'd been in the car eleven billion hours and I wasn't about to do a sit-down dinner).  But this wasn't any Popeye's this one had a mighty strong Cajun flavor.

I have four words for you: Red. Beans. And. Rice.

And these weren't your everyday red beans and rice. They had been Cajun-a-fied, I'm sure of it.

The day after we unpacked and I refilled our fridge, I pulled out this puppy:

What is that fine appliance, you ask?  It's a Cuisinart Rice Cooker PLUS. It's a mean, rice-cooking machine. It's my first one in my 15 year marriage. I'm finally a grown-up cook!

The fine people of Cuisinart sent one to me to try out (for free!) And we had rice three nights in a row, cooked differently. Plus, it's a slow cooker and you can brown meat in it! I've made soup too. As a matter of fact, I pretty much don't need any other countertop appliances...good thing since my toddler knocked my slow cooker off the counter and dented is severely.

But, it also made this:

Cajun Red Beans and Rice.

Here's the recipe (that came with the appliance):

Makes 4 cups

4 ounces smoked chicken or turkey andouille sausage* 

cooking spray

1 can (15-ounce) red beans, rinsed and drained

1 teaspoon good quality olive oil

3 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons finely chopped celery

3 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 cup (Rice Cooker) long grain rice

••• teaspoon thyme

1 bay leaf

1••• cups (standard liquid measure) chicken stock

3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley 

Tabasco® or other hot sauce

Divide the sausage in half. Finely chop half the sausage; cut the remaining sausage into •••-inch pieces. Lightly coat the interior of the steaming tray with cooking spray. Place the red beans and sliced sausage into the steaming tray; reserve.

Insert the cooking bowl into the Cuisinart® Rice Cooker/Steamer. Place the olive oil in the bowl, cover, and turn on for 1 minute. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic; stir to coat with oil. Cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the rice and thyme. Stir until rice is opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Tuck in the bay leaf and add the chicken stock. Place the filled steaming tray on the bowl; cover. Turn the Rice Cooker on and cook until it switches to Warm, about 18 minutes. Let stand at Warm for 5 minutes. Transfer beans and sausage to a medium bowl; add cooked rice mixture to the same bowl. Remove and discard bay leaf. Gently toss rice mixture with beans and sausage. Add parsley and toss to combine. Transfer to a warmed bowl to serve. Serve with hot sauce if desired.

*Smoked chicken or turkey andouille sausage has much less fat than traditional pork andouille. It can be found in many well-stocked grocery stores. Smoked turkey kielbasa can be substituted.

Would you like to win one?

Because I'm giving a Cuisinart Rice Cooker PLUS away today (over $150 value!)

Tell me what you'd fix in it--that's your entry!

This giveaway ends soon!