Red Beans and Rice

This is from a little recipe book I bought in New Orleans. VERY good stuff!!

1 pound dried red kidney beans
2 quarts cold water
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
½ pound smoked ham, cubed
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to your taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 chopped green onion tops
4 cups hot, cooked rice

Sort beans, and place in a large kettle; add water, cover and soak overnight. Next day add onion, green pepper, celery, ham, salt, cayenne and black pepper to beans in soaking water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook 2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in onion tops. Uncover and cook about 30 minutes longer. Serve over hot rice. Makes 8 servings.