Crab and Sausage Jambalaya

If you know me, you know that I hold off on the bell pepper. That's just me. Bell pepper doesn't agree with me, so I work around it. I had someone comment not too long ago about one ingredient that she didn't like. So, she didn't try the recipe. You don't have to sacrifice the entire recipe because of one ingredient that you don't like. Work around it and substitute something else that you do like.
As I always say, Play with your food! It's fun!!!

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

12 ounces andouille sausage or kielbasa, quartered lengthwise and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 celery rib, finely chopped

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained

1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

1 1/4 cups jasmine rice (9 ounces)

1 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1 1/2 cups water

1 bay leaf

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 pound lump crabmeat

3 scallions, finely chopped

Hot sauce, for serving

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil. Add the andouille and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Add the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic to the casserole. Cover and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the Old Bay, rice and andouille and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is opaque, about 2 minutes. Add the stock, water, tomatoes and bay leaf, season lightly with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over very low heat until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in the crab and scallions. Cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the crab is hot; discard the bay leaf. Serve in bowls. Offer hot sauce at the table.