Sausage and Rice Bake

From The Best of Living in South Carolina.-Louise Ellis, Prosperity,SC

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups long grain rice, uncooked
• 1  lb sausage
• 1  cup celery, sliced
• 3⁄4 cup onion, green
• 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

Directions

1. In a shallow 2 qt casserole, place rice. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, saute sausage, stirring to crumble meat. Drain and discard excess fat. In the same skillet, combime celery, onions and green peppers with sausage. Cook until vegetables are tender and onion is transparent. Stir in salt, pepper and broth. Increase heat to high and boil mixture 2 to 3 minutes. Combine mixture with rice. Cover dish with tight fitting lid or heavy duty foil. Bake at 350 degrees until rice absorbs liquids and is tender, about1 hour and 15 minutes.
3. To serve, fluff rice with fork and garnish with pecan halves.