Red Beans And Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dry red beans or dry kidney beans
6 c. cold water
6 c. hot water
1 lb. meaty ham bone or smoked ham hocks
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
hot cooked rice
sliced green onions

Preparation

Rinse the beans.
In a large Dutch oven cover beans with with 6 cups cold water.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Simmer 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Cover; let stand 1 hour (or soak beans overnight in a covered pan).
Drain and rinse the beans.
In the same Dutch oven combine rinsed beans, 6 cups hot water, ham bone, onion, garlic, bay leaf and red pepper.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
Stir occasionally.
Add more water, if necessary.