- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 8 stalks celery, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 eggplant, peeled and chopped
- 6 cups chopped okra
- 1 (15 ounce) can red beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon gumbo file powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups vegetable broth, divided
- Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Stir in the onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture to a large bowl; set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1/3 cup canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds.
- Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly until the roux darkens and has a nutty scent, about 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and pour in about one cup of vegetable broth, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the vegetable mixture and tomatoes.
- Pour in about one more cup of vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
- Mix in the eggplant, okra, red beans, salt, thyme, basil, file powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, cumin, liquid smoke, bay leaves, and remaining 4 cups of broth.
- Cover and continue to simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.