• 1 box Zatarain’s Gumbo base (don’t get the kind with rice in it)
• 1-1.5 lbs chicken, sausage, and/or fish or seafood (example: 1 pound of shrimp and 1-1/2 cups of crab claw meat)
• 4 stalks of celery
• 1 large or 2 medium bell peppers
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1/2 bag frozen cut okra (optional)
• corn or canola oil

• 1-2 bags Minute-brand rice (2 cups rice in each bag when cooked)

Follow the instructions on the box but add in the extra vegetables with the meat, takes 30 minutes to simmer when all your ingredients are in the pot.  The rice only takes 8 minutes to cook after you bring it to a boil, so postpone this step until you’ve got the gumbo simmering.

Summary: cook your meat or use leftovers.  Saute the vegetables.  Mix water, oil, and gumbo base.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent the gumbo base from sticking to the bottom of the pot.  When it reaches a boil, add vegetables and meat. Return to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.  Serve over rice.