2 cups fresh okra - sliced
1 red bell pepper - in strips
1 green or yellow bell pepper - in strips
2 large portabella mushrooms - cubed
1 onion - diced
1-2 stalks celery - cut up
4 cloves garlic - minced
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 cup vegetable stock (vegetable bullion cube dissolved in water OK)
1 bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon (or more) cayenne
1/4 teaspoon (or more) crushed red pepper flakes
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
1tablespoon Gumbo File powder
olive oil
In a large, deep skillet (I use a 14 cast iron one) saute onion, peppers okra in small amount of olive oil. Add mushrooms, garlic, and celery after 5 min or so and saute a bit longer. Add crushed tomatoes, stock, and spices EXCEPT file powder. Simmer 10-15 minutes or so. Right before serving, fish out bay leaf, adjust seasonings, and stir in Gumbo File. Serve in deep bowls over brown rice.
This is VERY delicious and much less complicated than it may seem.