This was such a refreshing and professional video. Straight to the point, great calm and clear speaking and the background music paired really well with the content. Oh ya, and I am making Zayarian's tonight but maybe with a little less water thanks to your video.
I like to use the Zatarains boxes when I wanna do something quick. I do add some fresh things to it like bell pepper onions and garlic I also used some bacon fat to sauté the veges and a teaspoon in place of the butter on box. I do think it’s a little soupy for my taste but I think they are good. The jambalaya is much better than all the others in my opinion
Thanks for the video! We tried this product, but we used two boxes and removed the rice from the second box to increase the red beans in the meal. We also added the sausage, our own collection of seasonings and it actually came out better than Popeye's!
I was waiting for you to mention the rice texture 😆. That’s my only dislike about Zats. When I make this I use a strainer to separate the beans from the rice and then I’ll cook the beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, unsalted chicken broth, and andouille sausage for 20-25mins, next I mush some of the beans to make a creamier sauce. Then I add a little more chicken broth and the rice and cook for 10-15 mins. Do it this way and your rice won’t be gummy or over cooked. It still doesn’t taste like fresh rice but it taste much better than cooking the beans and rice together! Adding the veggies and rice this way has fooled a few ppl into thinking I made it from scratch 😆.
That sounds pretty close to scratch made to me 😆. Yeah, that rice texture is a little off putting. But the dish is so easy. Which makes me look past it 🤷🏾♀️.
I used to make mine from scratch, red or black. I started using Zaterain’s many years ago just to make things quick and easy on weeknights. I adjust the recipe by adding an extra cup of water and 1/2 can of refried black beans. I also cut the time down to about 20 minutes, or less, to simmer. These steps reduce the seasoning strength and the rice being too gooey. The beans are a bit firmer too. We like that. I also use a bit of Cholula hot sauce instead of Tabasco. It isn’t as vinegary. Hope this helps.
I cook rice by bringing the water to boil putting the lid on and removing from heat. Just wait the elapse time. This also works for boxed augraten/julienned potatoes and hamburger helper lol. The "lid" is my favorite cooking utensil. For some reason with brown rice you have to bring back to a boil halfway through
Hadn't thought of that! What kind of red beans? I know some of the stores around here do sell what they call "red beans." I have seen kidney beans used in videos of homemade, but this mix has beans that are smaller than kidney.
I think the sausage probably made it saltier than if you just cooked it separately. I always add a can of beans too. I got crawfish tails to cook with it but will cook them apart.
My guess is, if you add more red beans, add more liquid of some kind i.e water, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes. Otherwise, I think it would work fine. Please let me know how it turns out.
Several people say they add more beans from a can. They don't mention adding more liquid. I would add them heated up at the end, then see about the consistency.
The first time I cooked this meal it was great but the salt content was a little bit too much for me. So I cooked it a second time and added more peppers,onions to it to absorb some of the salt but maintained that great taste. I like Zatarians product but I'm aware of the salt content also. The problem is where I live stores can't keep it on the shelf depending upon which meal you want to cook. One store I went to someone bought the entire case of gumbo, jambalaya and the red beans and rice. You have to check which store truck comes in to get any of the product. Just saying😅
It's a pretty cheap and tasty meal to make, and easy to add bits and bobs to. All of those mixes great make cheap meals. If you make 2 boxes with meat, plus some cornbread, you can feed a family of four for about $9.
You have to let it set for a bit on the stove with no lid after cooking to get it to set up, in my experience. When I make two packages, I have to cook it a bit longer.
I agree. I like flavor and spices but this has too much for the amount of rice and beans. Adding ground turkey may work. If you try it, please let me know how it tastes 😊.
You should never remove the lid while simmering that's why your rice was gummy. Homemade red beans and rice is so much better. This has such a strong flavor.
This was such a refreshing and professional video. Straight to the point, great calm and clear speaking and the background music paired really well with the content. Oh ya, and I am making Zayarian's tonight but maybe with a little less water thanks to your video.
This video convinced me that making it from scratch the first time was the way to go. Thank you!
You're welcome
I like to use the Zatarains boxes when I wanna do something quick. I do add some fresh things to it like bell pepper onions and garlic I also used some bacon fat to sauté the veges and a teaspoon in place of the butter on box. I do think it’s a little soupy for my taste but I think they are good. The jambalaya is much better than all the others in my opinion
The way you make it sounds tasty.
Thanks for the video! We tried this product, but we used two boxes and removed the rice from the second box to increase the red beans in the meal. We also added the sausage, our own collection of seasonings and it actually came out better than Popeye's!
You're welcome. That's another idea I hadn't thought of. Good job ☺️.
What seasonings?
I was waiting for you to mention the rice texture 😆. That’s my only dislike about Zats. When I make this I use a strainer to separate the beans from the rice and then I’ll cook the beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, unsalted chicken broth, and andouille sausage for 20-25mins, next I mush some of the beans to make a creamier sauce. Then I add a little more chicken broth and the rice and cook for 10-15 mins. Do it this way and your rice won’t be gummy or over cooked. It still doesn’t taste like fresh rice but it taste much better than cooking the beans and rice together! Adding the veggies and rice this way has fooled a few ppl into thinking I made it from scratch 😆.
That sounds pretty close to scratch made to me 😆.
Yeah, that rice texture is a little off putting. But the dish is so easy. Which makes me look past it 🤷🏾♀️.
I used to make mine from scratch, red or black. I started using Zaterain’s many years ago just to make things quick and easy on weeknights. I adjust the recipe by adding an extra cup of water and 1/2 can of refried black beans. I also cut the time down to about 20 minutes, or less, to simmer. These steps reduce the seasoning strength and the rice being too gooey. The beans are a bit firmer too. We like that. I also use a bit of Cholula hot sauce instead of Tabasco. It isn’t as vinegary. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the tips 😊.
I cook rice by bringing the water to boil putting the lid on and removing from heat. Just wait the elapse time.
This also works for boxed augraten/julienned potatoes and hamburger helper lol.
The "lid" is my favorite cooking utensil.
For some reason with brown rice you have to bring back to a boil halfway through
Thanks for this. I couldn't decide if I wanted this or rice a roni...
I always add a can of red beans to the mix and they leave. And a little bit of crush red pepper and it comes out pretty good.
Hadn't thought of that! What kind of red beans? I know some of the stores around here do sell what they call "red beans." I have seen kidney beans used in videos of homemade, but this mix has beans that are smaller than kidney.
Thanks for sharing. 🤩
You're welcome
I prefer the red beans and rice seasoning mix and use my own beans and rice separately
I was going to make some today but I'm going to add some onions an bell peppers to kick it up a little
thank you this helped a ton
You're welcome 😊
I actually cooked this last night it was okay some of the beans were a little bit undercooked
Lorna is cute. I love her review.
About to try it with ground beef
Fun tip: Find some cajun flavored Sausage (Hilshire makes some)
I agree, out of the box it is too salty. I add fresh or frozen bell pepper and/or onion to even it out
Can I come over for a bowl? 😁
I think the sausage probably made it saltier than if you just cooked it separately. I always add a can of beans too. I got crawfish tails to cook with it but will cook them apart.
We eat Zat's frequently when we want quick, decent, inexpensive Cajun. Not as good as homemade but overall, pretty good.
It’s better the next day after making it.
I agree. The leftovers are better.
Do you think adding more red beans to the package mix will mess anything up? Or should it go over fine if I decide to add extra red beans?
My guess is, if you add more red beans, add more liquid of some kind i.e water, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes. Otherwise, I think it would work fine. Please let me know how it turns out.
Update?
Several people say they add more beans from a can. They don't mention adding more liquid. I would add them heated up at the end, then see about the consistency.
I have tried to make it from scratch a few times and I end up always using the zat box
I have found out that a lot of people use Zatarain's. You're not alone :)
The first time I cooked this meal it was great but the salt content was a little bit too much for me. So I cooked it a second time and added more peppers,onions to it to absorb some of the salt but maintained that great taste. I like Zatarians product but I'm aware of the salt content also. The problem is where I live stores can't keep it on the shelf depending upon which meal you want to cook. One store I went to someone bought the entire case of gumbo, jambalaya and the red beans and rice. You have to check which store truck comes in to get any of the product. Just saying😅
It's a pretty cheap and tasty meal to make, and easy to add bits and bobs to. All of those mixes great make cheap meals. If you make 2 boxes with meat, plus some cornbread, you can feed a family of four for about $9.
I love it but with less salt.
Is it supposed to be so liquidy? It’s almost like a thick soup texture. Not sure I will be using this brand. It’s easy to make your own from scratch.
No, it isn't supposed to have too much liquid after it cooks. Most of the liquid should be absorbed into the rice and beans.
You have to let it set for a bit on the stove with no lid after cooking to get it to set up, in my experience. When I make two packages, I have to cook it a bit longer.
Maybe if you drained the sausage and then added the butter or o/o the rice wouldn't have been gummy. I would also add half cup of red beans
It was good too I didn't use no meat I used water and butter Hi chicken with it
I'm glad you enjoyed it.☺️
Not bad but too strong of flavoring. Wonder if adding ground Turkey will reduce it
I agree. I like flavor and spices but this has too much for the amount of rice and beans. Adding ground turkey may work. If you try it, please let me know how it tastes 😊.
@@MissLornas I tried it with ground Turkey last week I'll say it helped but not as much as I would've liked
@@montrezhenderson8646 sorry to hear that. Aside from trying to take out some of the seasoning, I'm not sure what would mellow it out more.
You should never remove the lid while simmering that's why your rice was gummy. Homemade red beans and rice is so much better. This has such a strong flavor.
I understand. Some people don't like the strong flavor.
She don't respond to comments. Fatal move. Selfish
Really? It's not that serious