Rice Pilaf Like Joe's Crab Shack

I love how this smells when it's cooking! A very different version of pilaf.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 2⁄3 cups water
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 1⁄3 cups white rice (I use jasmine)
• 1  teaspoon butter
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped celery
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped onion
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped  red pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  minced garlic

Directions

1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a sauce pan.
2. Add rice, cover and cook till rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
3. Sauté celery, pepper, onion, and 1 t butter till tender.
4. Stir vegetables into rice.
5. Remove bay leaf before serving.