Red Beans And Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried red beans
vegetable cooking spray
2 1/2 c. chopped celery
2 c. diced onion
1 c. sliced green onions
1 c. chopped green pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 (6 oz.) diced cooked ham
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. Italian blend seasoning
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. hot sauce
2 bay leaves
2 qt. water
4 1/2 c. cooked rice

Preparation

Sort and wash beans.
In a large Dutch oven, cover beans with water and soak for 8 hours.
Drain.
Coat a large Dutch oven with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat until hot.
Add celery and next 4 ingredients.
Saute until tender.
Add remaining ingredients except rice and cook, uncovered, over medium heat 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Remove bay leaves; serve over rice. Start rice mid-way through cooking.
Makes 9 servings.
May substitute 1 pound sliced smoked sausage for ham.