Savory Sausage Rice

1 lb. Sausage
1 cup finely chopped green pepper
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
2 (1 3/4 oz.) packages Lipton chicken noodle soup mix
4 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup rice, uncooked
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Brown sausage in large skillet; add green pepper, onion, and celery; sauté.
Combine soup mix and boiling water in large saucepan; stir in rice and salt. Cover and simmer 20 min. or until rice is tender. Add sausage mixture, and almonds (optional). Stir well.