Red Beans And Rice (No Ham Hocks)

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   ["Soak the beans overnight in four cups of water, or quick-soak them (bring to a boil for five minutes, turn off the heat, and let sit for two hours). Sadly, this is not a recipe for canned beans.", "Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan large enough for your beans. Dump in the ""holy trinity"" of onion, celery and bell pepper, and the garlic and ginger. Let brown, slowly, over medium-low heat for at least twenty minutes, until limp and Snooki-level tan.", "Stir in the tomato paste. Pour in the beans and their soaking liquid, bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to low. Add the bay leaves and Creole seasoning. Partially cover and cook over low heat for two hours, until the beans have taken on the frankly unappetizing appearance of a reddish-brown sludge and the vegetables have all but - or perhaps entirely - disintegrated into the beans. Mash up about half of the beans with the back of a spoon or potato masher. Taste for seasoning, and serve warm with white rice, and/or slices of toasted French bread."]

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.