Chicken - Sausage Gumbo

1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
1 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 to 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
4 cups chopped cooked chicken

Directions:
Cook sausage over high heat in pan 5 minutes, stirring often.  Remove sausage with a slotted spoon.  Drain on paper towels.

Add enough oil to drippings in pan to equal 3 tablespoons, and whisk in flour; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 5 minutes.  Add onion and next 3 ingredients; cook 5 minutes, stirring often.  Stir in broth and next 2 ingredients.  Bring to boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.  Add sausage and chicken; simmer, covered, 5 minutes.  Serve over rice.

Submitted by: Alison Preas