Super Bowl of Gumbo

Description
Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Ingredients

 * 1 pound fully cooked smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch slices
 * ½ cup vegetable oil
 * ½ cup flour
 * 2 medium onions, chopped
 * 2 medium green bell peppers, chopped
 * 1 cup chopped celery
 * 2 cloves garlic, minced
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
 * ½ teaspoon ground red pepper
 * ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
 * ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
 * 5½ cups chicken broth
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 pound peeled medium shrimp
 * 6 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

 * 1) Cook sausage in large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until brown. Remove sausage; set aside. Drain fat.
 * 2) Combine oil and flour in 2-cup glass measure.
 * 3) Microwave on HIGH 6 to 9 minutes; stirring after 5 minutes with small wire whisk.
 * 4) Continue to cook at 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until roux is dark red-brown.
 * 5) Pour roux into heavy saucepan; add onions, green peppers, celery, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper, thyme and oregano.
 * 6) Cook, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
 * 7) Add broth and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
 * 8) Add reserved sausage; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
 * 9) Add shrimp; simmer 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
 * 10) Spoon gumbo into serving bowls; top each with ½ cup rice.