Chicken gumbo

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2Chickens, cut into 8 pieces each, wing tips trimmed
2teaspoonsDried mustard
2teaspoonsSweet paprika
¼teaspoonSalt
¼teaspoonFreshly ground pepper
teaspoonGround allspice
pinchCayenne pepper
2tablespoonsOlive oil
4Celery stalks, cut into 1/2\" dice
2mediumsOnions, coarsely chopped
2Red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1/2\" dice
1Green bell pepper, cored and cut into 1/2\" dice
1tablespoonFinely chopped garlic
4cupsSliced okra, fresh or frozen
1canPlum tomatoes, drained (reserve tomato juices), with tomatoes coarsely chopped
2tablespoonsTomato paste
1teaspoonDried thyme
1Bay leaf
¼cupChopped flat-leaf parsley
Cooked white rice (opt)

Directions

Fresh okra is not wide available, but frozen okra is sold in most supermarkets and makes a perfectly acceptable substitute. When cooking up this gumbo, I'ce only called for a pinch of cayenne pepper, but you can add as much heat as you like.

1. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry. Preheat oven to 400'F.

2. Combine first 6 seasonings in a small bowl and rub into chicken pieces.

3. Place chicken in a shallow baking pan and bake for 15 minutes. Set aside.

4. Place oil in a large, heavy pot. Add celery, onions, red and green peppers and garlic; cook over low heat, stirring, for 10 minutes.

Raise heat to medium, add okra and cook, stirring, an additional 5 minutes.

5. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf. Add chicken and any pan juices to the pot. Cover with reserved tomato juices, making sure that all the chicken pieces are covered in liquid.

6. Simmer over medium-low heat, partially covered, until chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons parsley. Cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes longer. If gumbo begins to boil, reduce heat. Adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with remaining parsley. If desired, serve hot over cooked rice.

Per serving (based on 8, without rice): 415 calories, 19 grams fat, 124 milligrams cholesterol.

NOTE: If using frozen okra, defrost it or tinse under cold water, then proceed. From: Michael Orchekowski (Home_Cooking) Submitted By LAWRENCE KELLIE On 02-24-95