Combine onions, garlic, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce in 3-quart microproof baking dish. Cover and cook on HIGH (maximum power) 6 minutes. Add sausage and beans; stir. Reduce setting to MEDIUM (50% power) and cook, covered, 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Serve over hot rice. Serve with hot pepper sauce, if desired. *Any type of bean may be substituted. [Karen suggests a *red* bean. <grin> ~K.M.] Each serving provides: * 337 calories * 16.8 g. protein * 16.2 g. fat * : 31.9 g. carbohydrate * 871 mg. sodium * 38 mg. cholesterol