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 1/2-inch slices*
 * 1/2 cup chopped onion
 * 1 clove garlic, minced
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 28-ounce can peeled tomatoes
 * 1 cup uncooked rice
 * 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
 * 1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

Directions
Wash beans. 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.)

Brown sausage in large saucepan or Dutch oven. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat. Add onions and garlic to pan; cook until tender. Add beans and soaking liquid, salt, marjoram, and bay leaf. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 hours, or until beans are almost tender.

Drain and chop tomatoes, reserving liquid. Add tomatoes, reserved liquid, and rice to beans. Bring to a boil. Cover; simmer 10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add celery and green pepper; cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until rice is tender. Remove bay leaf. Serve with warm corn bread, if desired.