Smoked Chicken, Crab and Rice Gumbo

Ingredients

3 slices peppered bacon, chopped
1 10-ounce bag Pictsweet seasoning blend
3 links smoked sausage
2 cups fresh or frozen sliced okra
2 cloves garlic, minced
48 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
1 10-ounce can tomatoes with green chilies, blended
1 teaspoon Thick-it-Up™, xanthan gum (may also use cornstarch)*
2 Tablespoons Pickapeppa Sauce™
1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke™
4 cups cubed, smoked chicken (Thighs tend to have more flavor.)
1 pint lump crab
1 cup uncooked Riceland white or brown rice, prepared according to package directions (Recommendation: Riceland’s Gold Perfected Rice for this gumbo.)

Preparation

1. In a large stockpot, cook chopped bacon over medium-high heat until it just begins to crisp.
2. Add in Pictsweet™ seasoning blend and sauté 3-4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
3. Add sliced smoked sausage and sauté until okra softens; add minced garlic and saute 2-3 minutes.
4. Add chicken broth to vegetables.
5. Blend tomatoes with green chilies with 1 teaspoon Thick-it-Up™ or other thickener; add to okra-broth mixture.
6. Stir in Pickapeppa Sauce™ and Liquid Smoke.™
7. Lower heat to simmer; continue to simmer for 45-60 minutes.
8. Prepare rice according to package directions; set aside.
9. During final 30 minutes of cooking, stir in smoked chicken and crab.
10. Lower heat to a slow simmer until serving.
11. Add 1/2 cup rice to serving bowls and top with ladles of gumbo.**