Savannah Red Rice

INGREDIENTS
​1/4 pound hickory smoked bacon
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, de-seeded
​2 cups uncooked rice
​2 16-ounce cans diced tomatoes, including juice
​1/2 cup tomato juice
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
​I teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
​1/4 teaspoon SouthernAirs ORIGINAL Hot Sauce or similar medium cayenne hot sauce

DIRECTIONS
​Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fry bacon in a large frying pan until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels, then crumble or chop and aside. Saute celery, onions and green pepper in bacon grease until tender. Add rice, tomatoes, tomato juice, bacon and seasonings.  Cook on top of the stove for 10-12 minutes. Pour mixture into a large greased casserole dish, cover tightly, and bake for about 1 hour.