3/4 lb. hot Italian sausage
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes, diced
1/2 c. celery leaves
1 bay leaf
4 c. water
2 c. chopped cabbage
1/3 c. uncooked rice
1/2 tsp. dried basil

Remove casing from sausage. In large skillet saute sausage just until browned. Remove from pan; drain off fat and wipe pan with paper towel. Return sausage to skillet with onion, green pepper and garlic. Cook and stir over medium heat until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, celery leaves, bay leaf and water. Bring to a boil. Add cabbage and rice; boil, covered for 15 minutes. Add basil. Cook for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf.

Makes about 5 (1 2/3 cup) servings. It is thick like a stew.