Chicken Gumbo Soup

Ingredients:

12 cups water
4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds okra
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound hot sausage, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style whole peeled tomatoes
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper


DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine water and chicken in large pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is tender, about 1 hour. Using tongs, transfer chicken to strainer and cool, saving cooking liquid. 

2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy skillet over medium heat. Add okra and cook until no longer sticky, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes; set aside.

3. Stir flour and remaining 1/2 cup oil in heavy large Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until deep golden brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups reserved chicken cooking broth, okra, hot sausage, tomatoes with their juices, bell pepper, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt, thyme, basil, cayenne, and pepper. Cover partially and simmer until thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.

4. Spoon off any fat from surface of gumbo. Add chicken to gumbo and simmer gently 15 minutes. (If preparing ahead, cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.) Mound rice in