Ingredients
1 pound dried red beans or kidney beans1 meaty ham bone4 cups water1 teaspoon salt1 large onion, chopped2 celery ribs, chopped1 medium green pepper, chopped2 garlic cloves, minced1/2 teaspoon pepper1/2 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, slicedHot cooked rice
Preparation
Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add enough water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1-4 hours or until beans are softened.
Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Add the ham bone, water and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Remove ham bone; when cool enough to handle, remove meat from bone. Discard bone; set meat aside. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, garlic and pepper to the bean mixture. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes.
Add sausage and reserved ham. Cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve with rice.