Red Beans with Rice

This is another recipe from a friend (Shannon), I think it's the best beans and rice recipe that I've ever tried. It makes a lot, and it freezes well. Tasty and cheap, my kind of meal! -Sarah

3 cups dried small red beans

6 cups water

• Rinse and pick through beans. Soak over night, in 8 cups water.
• Drain and place in large crock pot with following ingredients:

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 large onion, chopped

8 cups fresh water

1-2 ham hocks

• Cover and cook on high 10-12 hours,in a large crock pot, until ham hocks are tender.
• Remove meat from ham hocks and add to beans with remaining ingredients:

3/4 cup ketchup

2 t. salt

pinch pepper

2 t. cumin

1 T. parsley

2 bay leaves

• Cook on high 2-3 more hours, leaving the lid off toward the end if it's too soupy, the mixture will thicken up a bit as it cools.
• Serve over cooked rice.

*I always keep the bone from the butt hams that I cook, just freeze them in a Ziploc bag and throw them in the beans when it's time (thawed). I try to leave some meat on the bone.