Red Beans and Rice are oh so good. Especially if they are made and cooked right so that the beans make their own red gravy which is one of the tastiest things you will ever eat over rice. In New Orleans this is the one dish that almost everyone in New Orleans loves to eat. Jazz it up a bit by serving a small dish of chopped green onions including the tops and a dish of Jalapino Peppers diced. You allow your guests to add these to their own plates.

If you make red beans and rice right it does take some extra time but it is well worth the effort and you will think so to when you taste these red beans and rice.

1 Pound Of Dry Red Kidney Beans

1 Or 2 Ham Hocks, smoked are okay to use

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Ground Cayenne Pepper

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

2 Bay Leafs

1 Teaspoon Hot Sauce

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Large Yellow Onion Diced Fine

2 Celery Stalks Diced Fine

1 Tablespoon Fresh Ground Garlic

Canned Chicken Broth As Needed

2 Pound Of Smoked Sausage Cut Into 1 Inch Pieces

Place the beans in a large pot or bowl and cover with water. Soak your beans over night adding more water as needed.

Okay now that you have soaked the beans over night drain your beans well and place in a large pot with lid. Into the pot place chicken broth until your beans are well covered. Add in your salt, pepper, ham hocks, and hot sauce and start to cooking on low heat. Saute the onions, celery and garlic in olive oil until the onions are done but not brown. Add to the beans. Cook on low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours stirring often to make sure your beans don't stick. Add your sausage in during the last 1 hour of cooking time. Do not add water. If you need more liquid add chicken broth. You want to serve these beans over hot buttered rice. And guess what you just made the worlds best red beans and rice.

During the last 30 minutes of cooking time stir in your powdered cayenne pepper. You can of course leave out the cayenne pepper but if you do you will be missing part of the soul of this dish. Because red beans and rice is a New Orleans favorite and New Orleans is full of soul.