Big Easy Red Beans N' Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb red kidney beans
1/2 lb ham steak, cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tablespoons celery, chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1 large bay leaf
salt & pepper
8 -10 cups water

Preparation

Place the beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with water by 2 inches. Let soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
In a large pan, render the ham chunks by cooking until the fat becomes liquid, remove ham and place to the side.
In the fat that remains saute the onion, garlic, celery and parsley.In a large pot, combine the beans, water, meat, bay leaf, salt & pepper.
Bring to slow boil, lower heat to simmer and cook for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally until beans are tender.
Remove bay leaf and serve over rice.