On 2011-02-12, Melba's Jammin' > wrote:
> Tara mentioned them.
> I'm not all that familiar with the dish‹educate me.
> Is that the main course? What's a typical side?
> What are the critical components?

Near as I can tell, most everyone who's responded to you is an idiot.

"Tex-Mex"? The Houston Chronicle? "Generally served with rice..."?
Freakin' "tortillas"? Sweet Jesus on the cross!

It's ALWAYS served with rice, you morons! Hence the name. I suggest
you ingnore all these pretenders and go to the source, someone who
grew up in New Orleans and loves the cuisine enough to become a chef
and create an authortative website all about it with extensive recipes
and background:

http://www.gumbopages.com/food/red-beans.html

I've been reading this website for years and I go here for all things
Cajun/Creole, first. It even out-BAMs Emeril.

nb