LAZY DAY GUMBO

1 pound fully cooked smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium green bell peppers, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
5 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups diced chicken
1 1/2 cups fresh okra, or 1 10-ounce package frozen okra
1 pound peeled, deveined medium shrimp
6 cups hot cooked rice (to serve)

Cook sausage in large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes. Remove sausage; drain fat. Set aside.

Combine oil and flour in 2-cup glass measure. Microwave on high 5 minutes; stir with a small wire whisk. Continue to cook at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until roux is dark red-brown.

Pour roux into heavy saucepan; add onions, green peppers, celery, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper, thyme and oregano. Cook, stirring 3 to 4 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Add broth and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Add reserved sausage and chicken; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Add okra; simmer 10 minutes.

Add shrimp; simmer 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

Spoon rice and gumbo into serving bowls.

Makes 12 to 14 servings
Source: Recipes from a Chef by Patrick Mould