Red Bean Gumbo with Okra
Ingredients 1 cup onion (chopped) 5 medium garlic cloves (minced) 2 ribs organic celery (chopped) 1 cup red bell pepper (chopped) 3 cups red kidney beans (home-cooked or BPA-free canned, drained and rinsed) 14 oz diced tomatoes (BPA-free canned) 2 cups vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade) 2 bay leaves ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped) 2 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp onion powder ½ tsp garlic powder 2 tsp ground paprika 1 cup okra (sliced into ½-inch pieces) 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (or organic cornstarch) 2 tbsp water ½ tsp salt (optional) ¼ tsp ground black pepper (optional) 4 cups organic brown rice (or organic black or red rice, cooked) red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) Directions Add all ingredients down to, and including, the okra to your 4- or 6-quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, add the arrowroot powder and two tablespoons of water. Whisk into a slurry and add to the slow cooker. Cook on the low heat setting for six hours or the high heat setting for th...