Red Beans With Rice

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried red beans, rinsed and sorted over
• 3 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1/4 cup tasso, or ham chopped, tasso is cajun seasoned pork
• 1 1/2 cups yellow onions, chopped
• 3/4 cup celery, chopped
• 3/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 1/2 lb smoked sausage, split in half lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb smoked ham hocks
• 3 tablespoons garlic, chopped
• 10 cups chicken stock or water
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped for garnish

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bowl or pot add the beans and cover with water by 2 inches.

2. 2

   Soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   In a large pot over medium-high heat melt the bacon grease . Add the tasso or ham and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

4. 4

   Add the onions, celery and bell peppers to the grease in the pot. Season with the salt, pepper, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the bay leaves, parsley, thyme, sausage, and ham hocks, and cook, stirring, to brown the sausage and ham hocks, about 4 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the beans and stock or water, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and starting to thicken, about 2 hours. (Should the beans become too thick and dry, add more water, about 1/4 cup at a time.).

7. 7

   Remove from the heat and with the back of a heavy spoon, mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the pot. Continue to cook until the beans are tender and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes.

8. 8

   Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaves.

9. 9

   Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.