Chicken Okra Gumbo with Sausage

3 4 lb. chickens, cut up

1/2 c Veg. oil

2 lb Sliced okra

1/2 c Flour

1 ga Water

1 3 oz. Kosher smoked sausage

1 lb Chicken gizzards, cut up

2 Med onion, chopped

1/4 Bell pepper, chopped

1 Whole bulb garlic, chopped

2 tb Chopped parsley

1 tb Sugar

1 6 oz. cn. tomato paste

3 Large tomatoes OR >>>>

1 cn Whole tomatoes (16 oz.)

2 Bay leaves

1 pn Thyme

1 tb Gumbo file`

Salt & Pepper to taste

Brown chicken pieces in some of the oil; remove from pot. Brown okra and remove from pot. Add rmainder of oil and flour, stirring constantly untill roux is a rich brown. Add okra and water to roux, blending well. Add chicken, sausage, gizzards, and remaining ingredients except file`. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.

Stir in file` during the last 1/2 hr. of cooking. Serve with hot cooked rice in soup bowls.