New Orleans Red Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dry red beans
2 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large carrot, grated
2 Tbsp. flour
1 (No. 2 1/2) can tomatoes
2 tsp. sugar
dash of Tabasco
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt to taste
ham bone, leftover ham or sausage (optional)

Preparation

Soak beans overnight or parboil 30 minutes.
Melt butter and saute onion, pepper and garlic until soft.
Remove pan from heat and blend in flour.
Add tomatoes gradually, stirring until smooth.
Return to heat and add rest of ingredients.
Cook over low heat until beans become soft, about 2 1/2 hours.
If liquid boils away, add a little water.
Mash a few of the soft beans to thicken if necessary.
Serve over rice.