Red beans and rice

New Orleans built this dish for hands-off cooking. The best-known story is that Monday was laundry day, so a pot of red beans simmered with the ham bone left from Sunday dinner while the washing got done. It is still a Monday staple in Louisiana, and the same patience makes it a natural Sunday prep. Red kidney beans cooked low with onion, celery and bell pepper, plus andouille or smoked sausage, turn creamy and thicken further overnight. Keep the rice in its own container and add a spoonful of water to the beans before reheating. A slow cooker or pressure cooker handles the beans while the rest of the week's prep gets done.