Brazilian Rice and Beans (sort of)

Ingredients:

• 2 Tb oil
• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
• ½ lb bacon, cooked and diced
• 1 lb (1½ cups) mirepoix
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cubes beef bouillon
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 32 oz canned / 2 cups dry pinto or black beans
• 2-3 (if small) bay leaves
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Heat the oil, and cook the mirepoix well. Very well; like, it should be cooked down darker mush as the veggies give up their water content, then you fry that water away. Add garlic and bay leaves partway through this. Once veggies are cooked down, add the meat, pepper, and salt and continue to cook until sausage is definitely browned and crispy in places. This will take a few minutes. Add the rice and stir-fry until rice grains are white and chalky. Then add the bouillon and water and beans and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat unti rice is done, ~15 min.