Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients
2 cups red kidney beans
6 cups water - cold
1 large onion - chopped
1 green pepper -chopped
1/2 pound ham - cubed OR
1/2 pound smoked sausage - sliced
2 cloves garlic - chopped
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Wash beans in cold water. Drain beans and put in covered pot with cold water. Add ham or sausage to pot. Bring to boil slowly. Add chopped onions, garlic, green pepper, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 hours stirring occasionally until beans are soft. Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to make a creamy sauce. Serve with rice. (Serves 6)