BROWN RICE AND SAUSAGE CASSEROLE1 lb. Jimmy Dean sausage
1 cup chopped celery (2 ribs)
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup brown rice
3 cups chicken broth
1 (8oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained (I use 1 small box, sliced and sautéed)
1 (5oz.) can water chestnuts, rinsed, sliced and drained
Pinch thyme
1 pkg. Chopped almonds (optional)Brown sausage lightly, remove from skillet. Drain to about 1 tbsp. fat and sauté onions, celery, green pepper and garlic for about 5 minutes. Blend rest of ingredients except almonds. Place in 2-quart casserole (greased) and top with almonds. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. (I stir a couple of times to keep rice from going to the bottom). Serves 12. To make half a recipe, halve everything except the seasonings, mushrooms and chestnuts.