Red Beans And Rice

• 1 lb. dried red beans
• vegetable cooking spray
• 2 1/2 c. chopped celery
• 2 c. diced onion
• 1 c. sliced green onions
• 1 c. chopped green pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 (6 oz.) diced cooked ham
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground red pepper
• 1 tsp. Italian blend seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. hot sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 qt. water
• 4 1/2 c. cooked rice

1. Sort and wash beans.
2. In a large Dutch oven, cover beans with water and soak for 8 hours.
3. Drain.
4. Coat a large Dutch oven with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat until hot.
5. Add celery and next 4 ingredients.
6. Saute until tender.
7. Add remaining ingredients except rice and cook, uncovered, over medium heat 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
8. Remove bay leaves; serve over rice. Start rice mid-way through cooking.
9. Makes 9 servings.
10. May substitute 1 pound sliced smoked sausage for ham.

red beans, vegetable cooking spray, celery, onion, green onions, green pepper, garlic, ham, salt, ground red pepper, italian blend seasoning, pepper, hot sauce, bay leaves, water, rice

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=271402 (may not work)