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).