Classic Chicken Gumbo From Tony Burke

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

2 tb Vegetable shortening
2 tb Flour,all-purpose
2    Onions,finely chopped
1    Green bell pepper,fine chop
5 c  Warm chicken broth
8    Tomatoes,peeled/chopped
1/2 lb Okra,cut into 1/4' pieces
1/2 c  Uncooked rice
2    Ribs celery,chopped
1 ts Salt
1/2 ts Pepper
1/4 ts Thyme
1    Bay leaf
1    Broiler-fryer chicken,cooked

1. 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).

2. Add onions and bell pepper; cook until onion is translucent, about
5 minutes.

3. Slowly add warm broth; stir until broth reaches a boil.

4. Add tomatoes, okra, rice, celery, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf;
bring to a boil.

5. Add chicken; when mixture boils again, reduce heat to low, cover
and cook about 20 minutes.

6. Stir and cook, covered, 20 minutes longer.