Red Beans and Rice

Directions

1. 1
   soak beans over night or with the quick soak method.
2. 2
   Cook onion and bell pepper in bacon drippings for 3-4 minutes over med-high heat.
3. 3
   Add garlic cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4
   Add beans and turn to coat in mixture.
5. 5
   Add all the other ingredients and 6 of the 10 cups of water.
6. 6
   Bring to boil and turn down to a simmer.
7. 7
   Cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours adding water as you need to.
8. 8
   You want to have a thick gravy consistancy so dont add alot of water.
9. 9
   Keep you eye on it and stir about every 15 minutes or so.
10. 10
    Stir more as the water cooks down to prevent sticking.
11. 11
    Once beans are as tender as you like and the water has cooked down to a thickness you like, take out the bay leafs and smash some of the beans to make it very creamy.
12. 12
    I used my immersion blender.
13. 13
    If the beans are to thick you can thin out by adding more water to your liking.sometimes you may need to do that when you re-heat them.
14. 14
    i add another 2-3 TBS of butter to the finished beans with extra salt and pepper as needed.
15. 15
    Also add hot sauce if you like it spicy!
16. 16
    serve in a bowl with hot butter rice seasoned with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder.