Red Beans and Rice

This is a great recipe of you have all day to keep an eye on a pot. This is Tony's grandmother's recipe from Sicily. It is comfort food for us. It may take a while to make but it is sooooo good!
~Recipe~

1 small package of red beans

2 Tbsp bacon fat

1 chopped onion

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 stalk celery diced

1 hambone and cut and diced ham

the red beans(do not soak overnight)

3 bay leaves

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Tobasco

Saute' the onions and celery in bacon fat, add garlic~ careful not to burn in a heavy soup pot over med-high heat.

Once the onions become translucent add the ham, beans, bay leaves, cayenne the add water to cover by 2 inches. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and allow the beans to slowly simmer for 3-4 hours. Stir sometimes to make sure the beans don't sick to the bottom of the pot. Add water as necessary keeping the beans covered by at least 1 inch of water. Continue cooking the beans until they are creamy and beginning to fall apart when they are stirred. Season with black pepper and salt and Tobasco to your taste.

Serve over white rice~ stir together....YUMMY! Enjoy!