Red Beans and Rice Recipe

Plain old beans and rice is nothing to salivate over but...add a little seasoning and smoked sausage and now you have a real meal. Be sure to keep the beans covered with liquid or they will burn quickly and it will take days to get the odor out of your house (yes, I've done it).

Ingredients

* 1 pound red beans
* 4 cups water
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 2 clover, garlic minced
* 1 (15 oz) can tomatoes, chopped (with liquid)
* 1 large bell pepper, chopped
* 1 large onion chopped
* 2 stalks of celery, chopped
* 1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced bite size
* Salt, to taste
* Red and black pepper, to taste
* Cooked rice

Directions

1. In a large pot, cover beans with water and bring to a rolling boil for two minutes. Remove from stove; cover; let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.
2. Return beans to pot, add all the remaining ingredients, except for seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce beat to low and simmer approximately one and one-half hours or until juice thickens.
3. Season to taste. Remove cover and cook down until liquid is thick. (20-30 minutes).
Serve over hot rice.
Serves 8-10