Kris's Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

Ingredients:
>1 cup flour
>2/3 cup vegetable oil
>1/2 cup chopped onion
>1/2 cup chopped green pepper
>1 1/2 stalks celery, diced
>2 cloves garlic, minced
>2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
>6 cups water
>1 pkg. smoked sausage (hot or original)
>Salt & Pepper to taste
>1 bag frozen sliced okra (optional)
>Cajun Seasoning to taste
>Additional Seasonings: chili powder, chipotle seasoning, File Seasoning, Cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, couple shakes hot sauce, garlic powder, season salt & Paprika>Hot Cooked Rice - about 6-8 servings worth

Directions:
Prepare okra first *if using* - add about an inch of oil to a skillet or pan and fry okra to remove filmy taste. Only a couple of minutes. Remove from pan to cool and drain. Set aside

In a large saucepan, combine the flour and oil and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes or until mixture is caramel-colored. Stir constantly to keep from burning.

Add onion, green pepper, celery, garlic and okra to the rue. Cook 5 minutes. Add chicken, sausage, water and seasonings to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer about one hour or until chicken is done and no longer pink. Ladle gumbo over rice and serve with a bakery roll.