For a quick and adaptable version of a classic tomato and rice dish sometimes called Carolina red rice, simply simmer sausage and rice together in Tomato Bliss with bell peppers and celery and bake in the oven to finish. When you simmer the rice on the stovetop before finishing it in the oven, you’ll get separate yet tender and fluffy grains.

• Step 1

  Heat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

• Step 2

  In a large (12-inch) heavy skillet over medium heat, fry the sausage until cooked through. Remove to paper towels to drain, leaving drippings in pan.

• Step 3

  In the same skillet, add the celery, bell pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sauté about 5 minutes.

• Step 4

  To the skillet, add the rinsed rice. Saute the rice for 30 seconds. Add the sausage, Tomato Bliss, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning or chili powder, sugar, if using, pepper and cayenne.

• Step 5

  Bring the rice and vegetables to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.

• Step 6

  Carefully transfer ingredients to the greased baking dish. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil, and bake until the rice is tender, about 40 to 50 minutes. Check the rice after about 30 minutes to make sure all the liquid is absorbed, and the rice is tender. (If it's too dry or not cooked all the way through, add a few tablespoons of water at a time, if necessary, and cook a little longer.) Fluff with a fork before serving and garnish with parsley leaves.