Brazilian Beans and Rice

1 cup beans (black or pinto)
1 cup cooked rice
1 medium chopped onion
1 large chopped garlic clove
1/2 cup chopped bacon (or sausage, or keibasa)
1 small red chili pepper, chopped (optional)
olive oil
1 bay leaf (optional)
1/2 TBS tomato paste (optional)
salt and freshly ground pepper

Optional toppings
Scrambled Eggs
Cooked ground beef
Brazilian Vinaigrette (chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, chopped green bell peppers, oil, vinegar)

Cook the beans and all the ingredients in a crock pot (add enough water to cover the beans) and cook for about 8 hours.

While the beans are cooking, cook the onions, garlic and bacon. Add it to the beans along with the other seasonings and let it all simmer.