Chicken Gumbo

Directions

1. 1
   Make roux by slowly browning flour in shortening.
2. 2
   When golden brown, add onion, celery, garlic and pepper.
3. 3
   Cook at low heat until vegetables separate from fat.
4. 4
   Brown chicken in some extra shortening, using enough to sear chicken well.
5. 5
   Add chicken to roux mixture and cook together for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour off fat in which chicken was browned, leaving drippings at the bottom.
6. 6
   To this, add water and bring to a boil.
7. 7
   Pour over chicken, adding enough extra boiling water to cook the chicken tender and to give gumbo the desired consistency.
8. 8
   Add bay leaves.