Savory Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

I found this recipe on the kraftfoods.com website back when I was pregnant with my first baby and I decided to give it a try. With a few of my own additions it instantly became a favorite comfort food of mine and it was a big hit with my inlaws, who now have it at least once a month!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 2  cups celery
• 1 1⁄2 cups carrots
• 32  ounces chicken broth
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chilies
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  ground thyme
• 2  lbs raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2  smoked sausage or 2  kielbasa, sliced
•  salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. In a large pot (preferrably a stock pot) melt butter, then when butter is melted, add flour and stir until golden in color.
2. Add in fresh vegetables and thyme and stir until vegetables are coated with flour.
3. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, chilies, and bay leaf.
4. Let simmer until veggies become fork tender (about 10 minutes).
5. Add in sliced sausage and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Add shrimp and cook until shrimp is pink (about 2 minutes).
7. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve over white rice. This tastes exceptionally good over Jasmine rice too!