Carolina Red Rice with Sausage

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked long grain rice (I used Carolina Gold Rice)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 stalk celery, sliced thin
• 1 medium onion, diced small
• 1 bell pepper, diced small (any color is your choice but green is the standard)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 ounces smoked sausage, sliced thin (andouille is the favorite)
• 4 ounces tomato paste (1/2 cup)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dash of Cayenne pepper (optional)