1 lb. dried red beans
3 large onions, chopped
3 bell peppers, chopped
2 quarts water
4 cups cooked rice
1 lb. ham, cubed
1 lb. sausage, sliced to 1/2 " pieces
Seasonings (salt, pepper, cayenne,
hot sauce)
Sort your beans and discard the small stones and other pieces of junk that do not appear to be edible. In a large pot, soak the beans in enough water to cover them, plus 2 inches. Add 1 tsp. salt. Soak overnight. Rinse the beans, then boil them in water with onions, peppers, garlic, salt, pepper. While the beans boil, sauté some ham and sausage in a fry pan; when the meat is browned well, throw it into the mix. Cover, and simmer for 90 minutes (or until the beans are soft). Add small amounts of water as needed (don't make it too soupy, now -- this isn't "Red Bean Soup"). Then, remove 2 large spoonfuls of beans to pot. This makes the beans thick and creamy. Simmer these for 15 additional minutes. Make sure to stir your beans to prevent sticking. Serve over steaming hot over rice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------