Firefighters Wild Rice Casserole           

2 pkg Lipton's chicken noodle soup mix
1/2 cup wild rice
2 pounds sausage (hot or mild)
1 large onion
2 cans water chestnuts
1 green pepper
1 pkg slivered almonds
1 bunch celery
Garlic, salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Brown sausage and mash into small pieces. Dice celery, onions and pepper and saute in drippings. Add soup mix to 3 1/2 cups boiling water and simmer for five minutes. Add rice to 1/2 cup water and simmer for seven minutes. Combine all ingredients except almonds. Put in 350 degree oven for one hour covered. Uncover and sprinkle almonds on top and place in oven for 1/2 hour more. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cooking sherry at this time if desired.