Classic Chicken Gumbo recipe

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

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.