Cook rice (1 cup rice, 2 cups water, a pinch of salt. boil until tender) and set aside. Chop onions, bell pepper, jalapeno, and celery and then saute in the butter until a light caramel brown. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a large glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes. *If you add the garnish, wait until the last 10 minutes and add the bell pepper rings.

When I make this, I add 2 cans of cooked chicken (or I boil 2 large chicken breasts and tear it into small pieces. The canned chicken is faster and easier for me... especially when I'm cooking a large meal.) I also add a cup of chicken broth to the mixture because it seems to be a little too dry for us. Then I sprinkle some extra cheese on top for the last 10 minutes or so- just so it melts good.