Recipe: Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Ragin' Cajun Red Beans & Rice
serves 6-8

1 lb. dried red beans
3 1/2 cups water or chicken stock
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 large onion, diced
1/4 cup oil
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
salt, pepper and Tabasco (or your favorite Louisiana hot sauce) to taste

2 cups steamed rice

Wash, sort and soak beans overnight, as per package instructions.

Drain beans and place in a Dutch Oven with 3 cups cold water. Add garlic, celery, onion, bay leaves and oil and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours, adding water as needed and stirring occasionally.

Add sausage and parsley and continue cooking for about an hour. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste during the entire process. Serve over steamed rice.