1 lb. small red beans or kidney beans
3/4 c. chopped onion
3/4 c. chopped celery
3/4 c. chopped green pepper
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 c. butter
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 lb. sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces

Soak beans over night in water. Drain beans and add 4 quarts water, bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered 1 1/2 hour stir occasionally. Saute onion, celery, green pepper and garlic in butter until tender. Add to beans, bay leaves, salt, paprika, thyme, red pepper and oregano. Cook uncovered 1 hour add water in needed. Bake sausage at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Drain and add to bean mixture. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves and serve over rice.