Southern Red Rice with Shrimp and Bacon

INGREDIENTS

slices of bacon , chopped

1/2 cup

chopped onion

1/2 cup

chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup

chopped celery

1 tsp

chopped garlic

2 14.5 ounce cans

of diced tomatoes , undrained

1 10 ounce can

of diced tomatoes with chilies (like Rotel), undrained

1/2 tsp

granulated sugar

2 cups

uncooked long grain white rice

2 1/2 cups

chicken broth

1/2 tbsp

Zatarain's Big & Zesty (big flake) Original Creole seasoning , or your favorite Cajun/Creole seasoning, or to taste

Couple dashes of hot pepper sauce

2 tsp

chopped fresh thyme or to taste

1/2 tbsp

chopped fresh parsley or to taste, plus more for garnish

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper ,

1 tbsp

cooking oil

Old Bay seasoning ,

2 lb

small, raw shrimp , peeled and deveined

1 tbsp

butter

Lemon wedges for the table, optional