Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter (use less if you like)
• 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 (15 ounce) cans beans, undrained (red or kidney)
• 1 bay leaf, crushed
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley (or 1/3 cup fresh)

Directions

1. 1

   For the rice: In a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid, combine water, rice, and 1 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil with the lid off. Reduce to low heat, cover and set timer for 20 minutes. Leave covered. Do not remove lid until finished.

2. 2

   For the red bean mixture: Sauté onions, celery and garlic in butter until softened on medium high heat. Add chopped sausage and cook 5 minutes. Stir in undrained beans, crushed bay leaf and 1 teaspoons salt. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes. Stir in parsley and cook 5 minutes more. Pour over rice.