Monday Dinner--Red Beans AND Rice

1-2 pounds of smoked beef (hot or mild) sausage cut into circles

1 bag of dried red beans

1 ham hock

* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 clove garlic minced
* 1 cup chopped green pepper

* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* salt pepper to taste

Preparation:

Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and put the beans in a large pot or Dutch oven.
Add fresh water to cover, along with the smoked sausage and ham, onion, garlic, green pepper, pepper, salt, and cayenne. Bring to boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until beans are tender, add more water if need to keep the beans from drying out. Cooking time usually takes 2 to 3 hours. When ham is fully cooked remove it, shred it in a boil, throw away the bone and add ham back in the pot with the beans. Makes about 4-6 servings.


Boil 2 cups of water in a small pot. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of butter to the water. Butter will prevent the rice from sticking together. Rinse 1 1/2 cups of rice through a strainer. Shake any excess water out before transferring to the pot. Pour the rice in boiling water and reduce to medium heat. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Put the lid back on until the rice is done cooking.

Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes. Put it in a bowl and Fluff rice with a fork, serve topped with your red beans.