Classic Chicken Gumbo
2 tablespoons Vegetable shortening
1/2 cup Uncooked rice
2 tablespoons Flour – all-purpose
2 Ribs celery – chopped
2 Onions – finely chopped
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Green bell pepper – fine chop
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
5 cups Warm chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon Thyme
8 Tomatoes – peeled/chopped
1 Bay leaf
1/2 pound Okra – cut into 1/4" pieces
1 Broiler-fryer chicken – cooked
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In large Dutch oven, melt shortening over low heat; add flour and cook, stirring, until brown, about 10 minutes (do not hurry; if flour burns, roux is ruined).
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Add onions and bell pepper; cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
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Slowly add warm broth; stir until broth reaches a boil.
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Add tomatoes, okra, rice, celery, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
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Add chicken; when mixture boils again, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 20 minutes.
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Stir and cook, covered, 20 minutes longer.