Red Beans and Rice

By eaglezfan6

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 lb boiled ham cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 6 oz smoked sausage cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 lb dried red beans rinsed soaked overnight and drained
• 3 tbsp chopped garlic
• 8-10 cups water
• 8 cups cooked rice

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onions, bell peppers, celery, salt, cayenne, black pepper and thyme for about 5 minutes. Add bay leaves, ham and sausage and saute 5-6 minutes. Add beans, garlic and enough water to cover the contents of the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered stirring occasionally, for about 2 hours. Add more water if the mixture becomes dry and thick.

Use a wooden spoon to mash about half of the mixture against the side of the pot.
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the mixture becomes thick. It should be soupy, but not watery.
Remove bay leaves and serve over steamed rice.