Kidney Beans New Orleans

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb dried kidney beans
• 4 smoked ham hocks
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and pureed
• 2 celery ribs, diced large
• 2 onions, diced
• 1 lb Italian sausage, cut on the bias in 1 ' pieces
• 1 green pepper, cubed
• Tabasco sauce
• salt

Directions

1. 1

   place beans in large bowl and cover completely with water, let stand overnight.

2. 2

   place smoked ham hocks in large saucepan and cover with water, bring to a boil, add seasonings and garlic. partly cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours over low heat. the ham hocks should be well cooked, remove from saucepan and set aside, leave water in pan.

3. 3

   drain beans and add to hot water in saucepan, add celery and onion. add more water if liquid does not cover beans completely. mix and partly cover, cook for 1 hour over med heat, stirring occasionally.

4. 4

   add sausages, tabasco sauce, and green pepper to saucepan, mix, partly cover and continue cooking for 15 minutes.

5. 5

   return ham hocks to saucepan with beans. at this point most of the water should be evaporated.

6. 6

   partly cover and cook 15 minutes.

7. 7

   before serving remove bay leaves.

8. 8

   serve over rice.