Rice Chop Suey Hot Dish

1 cup rice
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 pound ground beef
1 onion chopped
2 to 3 cups raw celery
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk or water
* 1 tablepoon brown sugar (optional)
2 tablespoons soy sauce or to taste
1/2 cup mushrooms sliced

Pour hot water over rice and let stand. Brown and salt beef and add remaining ingredients and simmer together for half an hour. Add rice, place in baking dish, salt and pepper and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.