Sausage and Rice Bake

SERVES 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups rice, long grain, uncooked
1 lb sausage ( I used one "tube" of Jimmy Dean regular flavor)
1 cup celery, sliced
3/4 cup green onion, sliced
3/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper
2 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup pecan halves (optional)

Directions

1.Place rice in a shallow 2 qt baking dish.
2.In a large skillet saute sausage over medium heat, stirring to crumble meat. Drain and discard excess fat.
3.To the sausage add celery,onions and green peppers with sausage. Cook until vegetables are tender and onion is transparent.
4.Stir in salt, pepper and broth. Increase heat to high and boil mixture 2 to 3 minutes.
5.Combine mixture with rice. Cover dish with tight fitting lid or heavy duty foil.
6.Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until rice absorbs liquid and is tender.