Red Beans and Rice

• 2 cups red beans
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• bay leaf
• pinch sugar
• cayenne pepper, to taste
• ham hocks
• hot cooked rice
• smoked sausage, sliced, optional

Wash beans, soak overnight and drain. Cover beans, onion, garlic, salts, bay leaf, sugar, cayenne pepper, and ham hocks with cold water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender. Add cooked smoked sausage the last 20 to 30 minutes, if desired. Remove meat from ham hocks and return to the pot. Serve over rice.
Serves 6.