Raymond Hawthorne's Rice Pilaf (Minnesota)

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1 1/3 cups rice
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Preparation:

Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, cover and
cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Sauté celery, onion, peppers and garlic in butter until tender.

Stir sautéed vegetables into rice. Remove bay leaf before serving.

--------------------------------------------------