Crockpot Red Beans and Rice

Meal 1 of my pantry challenge. I adore crockpot meals. So helpful for our odd working hours. I came home from work at 7 and dinner was almost finished. Thank you for my stock of minute rice. ;)

CROCKPOT RED BEANS AND RICE

1 lb. red kidney beans
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, crushed (I use garlic powder)
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
Rice, cooked
Fresh chopped parsley
Meat - optional (I am using some deer sausage that we have in our freezer)

Rinse beans in cold water (sorting out bad beans as you add them into the crockpot).
Cook in 3 quarts of water for 2 hours.
Add all other ingredients(excluding rice) and cook for an additional 2-3 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
Serve with hot rice. Yummm. =)