1 lb. red beans
1/2 lg. onion, diced
1/2 rib celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 lb. smoked ham hocks, or smoked shoulder of ham, cubed
2 bay leaves
1/2 tbsp. thyme
1 stick butter
4 c. cooked rice
Salt & pepper to taste
1 lb. smoked sausage, cut up & fried
1/2 lb. shrimp, deveined

Soak beans in water overnight in a covered pot. Add diced onions to beans while they are soaking. The following day, pour off all the water. Then return beans and onions back to the pot. Add all remaining ingredients except salt, pepper and butter. Fill pot with just enough water to cover ingredients. Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. When tender and creamy, add 1 stick of butter and stir. Add shrimp and sausage and simmer for about 35 minutes more. Serve over rice.