Valerie's Very Best Gumbo

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 1 bunch scallions, 1/2 cup sliced for garnish and the remaining chopped
• 8 to 10 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 quarts store-bought chicken stock
• Two 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 scant tablespoon cayenne, or more to taste (this much makes it medium spicy)
• 3 bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• One 10-ounce box frozen sliced okra, thawed
• 1 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded (about 4 cups)
• 15 cups cooked white rice, such as Minute Rice, for serving
• Hot sauce, such as Crystal, for serving
• File powder, for serving, optional

1. Warm 1 cup oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven until hot.
2. Add the flour to the pot all at once, whisking until the consistency is uniform.
3. Cook the roux, whisking occasionally, until it is the color of a tarnished penny, about 20 minutes.
4. Do not let it darken any further.
5. Carefully add the celery, bell peppers, onion, chopped scallions and garlic to the pot, working away from you as the hot roux may spatter.
6. Stir with a wooden spoon until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
7. Add enough stock to just cover the vegetables, about 1 quart, and stir to combine.
8. The roux may separate.
9. Add the tomatoes with their juices, andouille and smoked sausages, cayenne, bay leaves, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper and the remaining stock, about 1 more quart.
10. Partially cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes.
11. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over high heat.
12. Add the okra and cook, stirring, until the gel dries out slightly, about 3 minutes.
13. Add to the Dutch oven.
14. Taste the gumbo for seasoning and adjust as desired.
15. Add the chicken, cook until warmed through and serve, or simmer up to 2 hours more to concentrate the flavors, adding the chicken 20 minutes before serving.
16. Sprinkle with the reserved sliced scallions and serve over rice.
17. Serve with hot sauce and file powder if using.

canola oil, flour, celery, green bell peppers, white onion, scallions, garlic, storebought chicken stock, tomatoes, sausage, sausage, cayenne, bay leaves, kosher salt, okra, rotisserie chicken, white rice, sauce, file powder

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/valerie-bertinelli/valeries-very-best-gumbo.html (may not work)