Easy Red Beans and Rice

Easy Red Beans and Rice

2 TB canola oil
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 or 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. ham cut into 1/2" cubes
1/4 lb. smoked Kielbasa sausage, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 cup chicken or beef stock or water
2 cans (15 oz. ea.) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Cooked rice
Chopped onions, for garnish
Tabasco or Cholula hot pepper sauce, for garnish

Heat the canola oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the
onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes, stirring
often, until the vegetables are soft. Add the ham, sausage, bay leaf,
and thyme. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often.

Add the stock or water, beans, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Bring to
a simmer and cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve over cooked rice with chopped onions and your favorite hot sauce
on the side.

Source : The Just-Main-Dishes mailer on googlegroups.com