Red beans and rice in New Orleans

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the cultural significance and culinary traditions associated with red beans and rice in New Orleans, including regional eating habits and personal experiences with Southern cuisine. Participants share their thoughts on related dishes and beverages, particularly sweet tea, and how these reflect local customs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the reasons behind the popularity of red beans and rice in New Orleans, suggesting it may be a regional tradition.
  • One participant shares their experience of having meatloaf on Mondays, contrasting it with the local custom of eating red beans and rice, which they describe as spicy and enjoyable.
  • Another participant reflects on their surprise at the sweetness of Southern sweet tea, indicating a personal preference for less sugar in their iced tea.
  • A participant discusses their attempts to make sweet tea, noting variations in sweetness and flavor, and mentions serving it with gumbo, indicating a blend of culinary influences.
  • Several participants express their love for okra, with differing opinions on its inclusion in gumbo, highlighting personal preferences in regional dishes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a fondness for red beans and rice and Southern cooking, but there are differing opinions on the preparation and enjoyment of related dishes like sweet tea and gumbo. No consensus is reached on the best way to enjoy these foods.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of familiarity with New Orleans culinary traditions, which may influence their perspectives on the dishes discussed. There are also references to personal experiences that may not align with broader regional practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in Southern cuisine, cultural food traditions, or personal cooking experiences may find this discussion relevant.

Ivan Seeking
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Does anyone know about his? Why do New Orleanians always smile when this is mentioned? Do they do something special or do they eat plain old beans and rice. And where does this Monday thing come from [I think it is on Mondays that they eat this]?
 
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We had chicken every sunday, and on mondays we always had meatloaf. Once in NO, I mentioned that to someone, and they looked horrified. Monday is always red beans and rice. Its just a regional thing. But its also very good/spicy.
 
The first time I tried sweet tea I about fell out of my chair. I like it but I couldn't believe that so many people would drink something sooooooo sweet. But I do love that southern cooking.

I have spent a good amount of time in the Southbut never made it to the NO area, so those traditions are unfamiliar.
 
I tried making sweet tea with the recipe that...hmm...was it Pattylou who provided the recipe? Or hypatia? Or...? Well, someone here posted it. On my first attempt, it was good, but a tad too sweet (and I added lemon, but it wasn't enough). I tried a second attempt tonight, to serve with the gumbo I'm making for dinner tomorrow (I'm having two of the post-docs I work with over for dinner...we're having an ecclectic dinner of Indian and Cajun). I don't think I'll be serving it though. I like it, but I'm not sure it's what anyone else would expect of iced tea. It's not quite sweet enough and too much lemon this time. :rolleyes: It tastes a bit more like lemonade with some tea flavor. I'll have to adjust the sugar and lemon to something between the amounts in my first two attempts on my third attempt.

Red beans and rice is tasty. It has spices added that are pretty yummy, though I seem to recall it being served with all the breakfast dishes, which was a bit odd for me (though great when I was getting a late breakfast that was more of a brunch).
 
Americans, can not make tea. :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
After years of drinking heavily sweetened tea in the South, I am now just the opposite - I can't stand a bit of sugar in my iced tea. I have to have it plain.
but ooh, I love me some red beans and rice, oh yes! gumbo, too, with lots of okra. I even like pickled okra - yum!
 
I love okra, fired, pickled, but I don't like it in my gumbo. I used to grow okra when I lived in Houston. They get about 7 feet tall, they're a hibiscus and the flowers are very pretty.
 
Evo said:
I love okra, fired, pickled, but I don't like it in my gumbo. I used to grow okra when I lived in Houston. They get about 7 feet tall, they're a hibiscus and the flowers are very pretty.
I will have to talk my parents into growing some. Of course, the local deer population will go crazy over those flowers! Mom finds them munching on the hibiscus all the time.
 

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