Recipe: Red Beans and Rice (using dried beans and salt pork)

RED BEANS AND RICE

1 pound salt pork
1 pound dried red kidney beans
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 whole hot pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Hot cooked rice (for serving)

Boil pork 5 minutes to get rid of salt.

Put pork in a saucepan with the beans; add hot water (water should be 1/2-inch above beans). Add remaining ingredients, except rice. Cook slowly 1 to 3 hours, until gravy is thick and beans are tender.

Just before dishing out add a pinch of italian seasoning again and salt to taste.

Serve with rice.

Makes 6 servings