Red Beans and Rice Creole-style

Description
Makes 10 servings

Ingredients

 * 1 cup dry red beans
 * 4 cups water
 * 1 pound hot Italian sausage, cut into ½-inch slices*
 * ½ cup chopped onion
 * 1 clove garlic, minced
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * ½ teaspoon marjoram
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 x 28-ounce can peeled tomatoes
 * 1 cup uncooked rice
 * ½ cup coarsely chopped celery
 * 1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

Directions

 * 1) Wash beans.
 * 2) Soak beans in water overnight (or, for quick soak method, bring beans and hot water to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand 1 hour).
 * 3) Brown sausage in large saucepan or Dutch oven.
 * 4) Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat.
 * 5) Add onions and garlic to pan; cook until tender.
 * 6) Add beans and soaking liquid, salt, marjoram, and bay leaf.
 * 7) Cover and simmer 1½ hours, or until beans are almost tender.
 * 8) Drain and chop tomatoes, reserving liquid.
 * 9) Add tomatoes, reserved liquid, and rice to beans.
 * 10) Bring to a boil.
 * 11) Cover; simmer 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.
 * 12) Add celery and green pepper; cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until rice is tender.
 * 13) Remove bay leaf.
 * 14) Serve with warm corn bread, if desired.