Red beans and rice?

[Storm Bride]

I'm going to make red beans and rice tonight. I'm just wondering what kinds and quantities of meats the rest of you use. Most recipes I find call for a farly large quantity of ham and/or sausage. I don't want to use that much. (I don't want to make a vegetarian version, as that would go over like a lead balloon with both dh and ds1. I'm mostly trying to cut way back on the meat for financial reasons.)

Any suggestsoin to give the dish the flavour of the meat, but without putting in a whole lot?

[Earthy Mama]

Cook the rice in a ham broth? I'm sure you have some just laying around! lol
Then use less meat than it calls for.

[Storm Bride]

I might just use less ham...the problem is finding a small piece...

hmm...would bacon work? I'm so not good at improvising in the kitchen and am really trying to improve.

[mama1803]

I've sometimes used ham hocks when I didn't have any sausage or andouille.

[Storm Bride]

I ended up using some "Canadian" (back) bacon. Unfortunately, I don't think I got it in the crockpot soon enough, and I'm doubting it will be ready in time for dinner. I wish I had a backup plan.

Maybe I'll switch it from the crockpot to the dutch oven and bring the whole mess back to a boil...or something...