Chicken Gumbo

3 Tbsps. vegetable oil

1 small onion

3 celery ribs, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3 1/2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour

2 1/2 -3 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) reduced sodium chicken broth

3/4 cup crushed tomatoes

1/4 lb. boneless smoked ham, cut into 1/2” pieces

3 skinless chicken thighs (3/4 lb.)

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1/8 tsp. ground red pepper

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

 Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat.

 Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic and black pepper.

 Cover and cook just until the vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 6 minutes.

 Stir in the flour and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes.

 Gradually stir in 21/2 cans of the broth and bring it to a simmer.

 Add the tomatoes, ham, chicken, thyme, bay leaf and ground red pepper.

 Partially cover, and cook until the chicken is tender, 25 to 35 minutes, adding the remaining broth as necessary if the gumbo is too thick.

 Remove from the heat, transfer the chicken to a plate, and let cool slightly.

 Cut into bite-size pieces, discarding the bones, and return to the pot.

 Reheat briefly and stir in the parsley.

 Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 214 calories, 12 g fat (2 g saturated), 340 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrates, 13 g protein, 2 g fiber