Hot Red Beans and Rice

1 pound of red beans
1 country ham hock
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
1 can of tomato paste (6 ounces)

Instructions:

Place the beans in a bowl and cover with warm water. Let them soak for 2 hours. Scrub the ham hock in warm water. Put it into a pot with 2 quarts of water, let it boil and then cook slowly for an hour. Add the beans, onion, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper to the pot. Cook slowly until the beans are done. Add a little hot water if needed to keep the ingredients covered. When the beans are done, stir in the tomato paste. Remove the ham hock, chop up the lean meat and put it back into the pot. Serve over rice.