Red Beans and Rice
3 cups red beans
1 - 2 bay leaf
1 large onion
1 -2 cloves garlic
sprinkle of red pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
Use one:
ham bone, ham hock, bacon or
1 lb. kielbasa sausage or
1 or 2 tsp salt
Chop the onion and garlic. (Hint, use frozen chopped onions and bottle garlic.)
Use a heavy pot. Bring to boil about 9 cups of water and all of the ingredients
above except the sausage. After the mixture comes to a boil, reduce to a
simmer and cook about 2 or 3 hours, stirring occaisionally. Add more water
if necessary.
1/2 hour before serving, add the kielbasa sausage that has been cut into 2 inch lengths.
Serve over white rice:
1 cup rice
2 cups water
Bring water to boil in a small but heavy bottomed pot. Add rice, stir once,
cover immediately, and reduce heat. Cook on low heat for exactly 20 minutes.
Do not peek. After 20 minutes, remove cover, and fluff. Louisiana rice is not
brown, and it is not par-boiled (Uncle Ben's).