Gumbo

1/4 cup oil	1 tsp. Thyme	1 lb. sliced okra (I use frozen)
1/4 cup flour	1 lb. chicken or shrimp	1 bay leaf
1 onion, chopped	1 lb. Andouille sausage, sliced	1 Tbsp gumbo file'
1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped	4 cups water	1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic, minced	1 tsp. salt	1 lg. can whole tomatoes, crushed
1 T chopped parsley	1/8 tsp. pepper

In a large soup pot, add the flour and oil.  Cook on medium heat, stirring with a whisk until dark brown in color.  Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, parsley and thyme; sauté for about 6 minutes.  Add water, tomatoes, chicken, sausage, salt, pepper, okra, and bay leaf.  Cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring frequently.  Add file' and cayenne pepper just before serving.  Serve over rice.