Southern Style Red Beans

Steps

1. In a heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the pound of beef smoked sausage. Brown the sausage until crispy (about 3 to 5 minutes), then remove it and set it aside.
2. Keep the same oil in the pot and add 1 tablespoon of butter.
3. Add the aromatics: 4 cups of green and red bell peppers, 4 cups of chopped celery, and 2.5 cups of chopped onions to the pot.
4. Stir in 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
5. Add 1 teaspoon of chicken base (or salt) to the mixture.
6. Pour in 2.5 cups of chicken broth (or water or beef broth). Use this liquid to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
7. Add 2 bay leaves, 2 sprigs of thyme, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and a scratch of oregano.
8. Stir in optional dashes of hot sauce.
9. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until the liquid reduces and reaches a thick consistency.
10. Once the mixture has reduced sufficiently, add the canned red beans back into the pot.
11. Simmer for an additional time (not specified) until the desired thickness is reached.