Red Beas and Rice

Made this for dinner last night. It was goooooood. I got the recipe from the back of the bag of Camellia beans.

Red Kidney Beans

1 lb. dried Camellia kidneys
1/2 lb. ham or seasoning meat (I used smoked picnic ham)
8-10 cups water
1 onion, chopped
1 toe garlic (optional)
1 tbs. chopped celery, chopped
2 tbs. parsley, chopped
1 large bay leaf
salt to taste

Rinse and sort beans. Cover with water, start to cook over low fire in covered pan. Render meat and add to beans. In meat drippings, saute onions, garlic, celery and parsley. Add this with the bay leaf to the beans. Cook for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Add water if necessary while cooking. 15 minutes before done mash 4-5 tablespoons of beans through strainer. Stir into liquid. This makes liquid creamy. Serve over fluffed rice with hot French bread and salad.