Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Okra Pilaf

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium heat.
2. 2
   Cook bacon in a large skillet set over medium heat until crisp.
3. 3
   Place a large spoonful (about 1 cup) Okra Pilau in the bottom of an individual serving bowl.
4. 4
   Add the onion, green pepper and celery and cook, stirring often, 4-5 minutes or until vegetables have softened. With a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a paper towel-lined plate and leave the oil in the pot.
5. 5
   Transfer the crisped bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
6. 6
   Pour about ¾ cup Chicken Gumbo over the rice and serve with a simple side salad and a nice chunk of toasted baguette.
7. 7
   Slowly add the flour to the oil while whisking continuously. Cook the flour 4-5 minutes or until it is medium brown similar to the color of milk chocolate. It will smell like slightly burnt popcorn. Be careful NOT to burn the flour.
8. 8
   Remove all but 2 tablespoons bacon drippings from the skillet.
9. 9
   Enjoy!
10. 10
    Continue whisking and add the chicken broth. Once the broth is whisked in, add the salt, black pepper, Cajun spice, paprika, thyme, bay leaves and sausage.
11. 11
    Add okra, onion, bell pepper and cook the vegetables about 5 minutes or until tender.
12. 12
    Bring the gumbo to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
13. 13
    Add rice, water, salt and black pepper; bring to a boil and cover.
14. 14
    While the gumbo simmers, prepare the Okra Pilau (Pilaf).
15. 15
    Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and the rice is tender. If all water has been absorbed, but the rice isn’t cooked through, add ¼ cup water, replace the lid and simmer an additional 3-5 minutes, or until rice is tender.
16. 16
    After 20 minutes, add the chicken and simmer an additional 5-10 minutes or until the Okra Pilau is ready.
17. 17
    Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the crisped bacon and let rest 5 minutes.
18. 18
    Discard the bay leaves and serve.