Chicken Gumbo

Description
Makes 8 servings (about 3 quarts)

Ingredients

 * 1 broiler fryer (about 2½ pounds), cut up
 * ¼ pound smoked ham, diced
 * 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
 * 1 pound sliced okra
 * 1 x 14½- to 16-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
 * 1 cup sliced onion
 * ¾ cup chopped green pepper
 * 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1 small bay leaf
 * ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
 * 6 cups water
 * 1 tablespoon gumbo filé

Directions

 * 1) Cook chicken and ham in butter in large skillet until lightly browned.
 * 2) Add okra, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, parsley, salt, bay leaf, pepper and water; heat to boiling.
 * 3) Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is tender.
 * 4) Remove chicken from bones, but do not chop into small pieces.
 * 5) Return chicken to soup.
 * 6) Discard bay leaf.
 * 7) Just before serving, sprinkle file lightly over soup, stirring constantly.
 * 8) Ladle gumbo into bowls and top with hot rice.