Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice are another traditional Louisiana food that I make for Mardi Gras.  It's a simple dish but tasty and always popular.

Ingredients:
2 pounds dried small red beans
2 onions
2 bay leaves
2 pounds smoked sausage

Wash the beans and add enough water to cover them in a pot.  Soak overnight.

Chop the onions and and them and the bay leaves to the pot.  Bring the beans to a boil, then lower to a simmer.

Cut the sausage into slices and brown them in batches in a heavy skillet.  Add them to the beans.

Cook everything for an hour or so, until the beans are tender.

Serve over hot white rice.

Notes:
If you leave out the sausage, you will want to add salt.