Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup bacon drippings
  • 3 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 2 cups seeded and chopped green bell peppers
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 pound salt pork, cut into small chunks
  • 2 pounds dried red kidney beans or 1 pound navy beans, picked over and rinsed in cool water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco brand pepper sauce
  • 4 bay leaves
  • Chopped green onions for garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
  • Hot cooked long grain white rice (see Notes)

Method

  • Heat the bacon drippings in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add the onions, bell peppers, and celery and cook, stirring, until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and salt pork and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the beans and enough water to cover.
  • Stir in the salt, black pepper, Tabasco, and bay leaves, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
  • Cook, partially covered, until the beans are tender and the mixture is creamy, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Add more water or broth if the mixture becomes dry.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaves.
  • Serve hot, garnished with green onions and parsley, over rice.