Red Beans And Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried kidney beans
2 qt. water
1 meaty ham bone or thick slice ham, cut into cubes
1/2 lb. hot sausage
1 bunch scallions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium onions, chopped
large pinch thyme
4 bay leaves
cayenne pepper or Tabasco
salt
pepper
white rice

Preparation

Rinse beans twice.
Discard any that look bad.
Put in a 3-quart or bigger heavy pot.
Add water, ham and sausage.
Cook, uncovered, on medium heat.
While beans are soaking, chop and add scallions, pepper, celery and onions.
Then add thyme and bay leaves.
When mixture boils, reduce heat and cover; cook for 3 hours, stirring every 20 to 30 minutes.
Then, with wooden spoon, mash about 1/4 of the beans.
If they don't mash up easily, continue cooking for another 1/2 hour.
About 30 minutes before serving, season with a drop or two of Tabasco sauce.
Don't use too much.
Serve over cooked rice.