Valerie's Very Best Gumbo

Get this all-star, easy-to-follow Valerie's Very Best Gumbo recipe from Valerie Bertinelli

Directions Watch how to make this recipe. Warm 1 cup oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven until hot. Add the flour to the pot all at once, whisking until the consistency is uniform. Cook...

Ingredients

• 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