Ingredients: (serves 10)

2 pounds dried red beans

1 meaty ham bone or 1½ pounds ham chunks

2 large onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf, optional

Tabasco to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Wash dried beans. Remove any foreign matter i.e. stems, stones, etc. Place beans in Dutch Oven. Add four to five quarts cold water, ham, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Simmer slowly for approximately three hours until beans are soft and the gravy is thick. Serve over cooked rice with Tabasco sauce.