A real comfort food, great Gumbo can feed the soul and this version is a simple crowd pleaser that you will come back too time and time again.

1. 1/2 cup canola oil
2. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3. 1 large onion, finely chopped
4. 1 celery rib, finely chopped
5. 2 green bell peppers, finely chopped
6. 6 garlic cloves, minced
7. 1/4 cup tomato paste
8. 2 1/2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
9. 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
10. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11. 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12. 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
13. 1 bay leaf
14. 1 1/2 pounds andouille sausage or spicy kielbasa, sliced 1/2 inch thick
15. 1/2 pound okra, thinly sliced
16. Salt and freshly ground pepper
17. 8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each), lightly pounded
18. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
19. 2 scallions, thinly sliced
20. Steamed white rice and hot sauce, for serving

1. In a large pot, combine the oil and flour and cook over moderately high heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, celery, bell peppers and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, chilli flakes and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Add the andouille and okra and simmer over low heat until the okra is broken down and the gumbo is thickened, about 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaf.
2. Preheat a grill pan or light a grill. Brush the chicken with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice it crosswise.
3. Spoon the gumbo into shallow bowls. Top with the chicken and scallions and serve with rice and hot sauce.