This dish is always a big hit around our place. Sometimes we use as a main dish with cornbread for lunch. The we use as it a side for dinner. The beans have a lot of protein and the rice gives you carbohydrates. A win-win combination.

• 1 pound Red Kidney Beans
• 3 cups Water
• 1 or 2 Ham Hocks
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 1 clove Garlic, peeled and pressed
• 1 rib Celery, chopped with leaves if any
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 pound Sausage of your choice, we like the Spicy kind
• 2 cups Cooked Brown Rice
• Chopped Green Onions
• Grated Cheddar Cheese

Cover the beans with water and soak overnight. You can also use a quick soak method.* Drain the water from the soaked beans. Put 3 cups of fresh water in a large soup pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add salt, ham, onion, garlic, celery and bay leaf. Simmer for 2 hours. Add water if needed.

Remove ham hocks from the beans. Cut the meat into small chunks. Put these back into the pot. Discard the bones, skin and fat. I give that to the dogs who just love it. Cut the sausage into small pieces and cook in a skillet. After it is cooked and brown put into the bean pot. Simmer for about 30 minutes.  Place the rice in a large serving platter and spoon the beans over the rice. Garnish with green onions and cheese.  

*Put the beans in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes with a lid on. Turn off heat and let stand for 1 to 2 hours. Drain water and continue with the recipe.