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Crockpot Black Beans & Rice

vegetables, crockpot 1 1/2 lb dried black turtle beans 1 large bell pepper (diced) 1 hot pepper (optional) 4 dash tabasco (optional) 4 large onions (diced) 6 centiliter garlic (diced) 3/4 cup celery (diced) 1/4 cup parsley (minced) 2 tablespoon oregano (minced) 2 tablespoon basil (minced) 2 bay leaves 1 pinch cloves (2 to 3) 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 4 beef boullion cubes 2 tablespoon vinegar (add last) 1 lb lean bulk pork sausage 1 lb pork (boneless cubed) 1 lb stew beef chunks 1/2 lb ham, smoked (1/2 cubes) 1 1/2 lb smoked link sausage cut into 1 1 to 2 lengths 1 salt and pepper to taste Beans: Wash and look for gravel then soak overnight in a bowl being sure beans are well covered with water. For cooking use a large crock pot. Meats: First, brown bulk sausage in a skillet and pour off excess grease. Add other meats and stir to brown. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, celery, and spices. Salt and pepper moderately, taste after cooking several hours and add more if needed. Add beans and soak water. If necessary add more water to cover entire ingredients by at least two inches. Stir in four bouillon cubes. Cover and cook on crock pot high for three hours then turn to low for at least six hours. I like to use the crock pot and leave it cooking on low overnight. I stir it about twice and sometimes find it necessary to add water. If it gets too thin, take about 1/2 cup of beans and mash with a fork until pasty to add back as a thickener. About an hour before serving stir in vinegar. I enjoy hot and spicy foods so I like to add the hot pepper (jalapeno, habanero or whatever you like) and Tabasco. If you don't like it hot, then leave them out or serve the Tabasco at the table. Serve beans and meat over rice. I have found brown rice to be quite tasty but white rice is fine too. Serve in a soup bowl and top with fresh chopped onion. Roy Olsen, roy@indy.net http://www.indy.net/~roy/