Vegetarian Gumbo

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup celery, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 8 cups water
• 1½ Tbsp Better Than Bouillon® Organic Vegetable Base
• 1 can spicy tomato juice (5.5oz)
• 1 can petite tomatoes (28oz), undrained
• 1 can black beans (15oz), rinsed and drained
• 1 can red beans (15oz), rinsed and drained
• 2 cups frozen cut okra, rinsed and drained
• 1½ cup frozen whole kernel corn, rinsed and drained
• 1 tsp mesquite liquid smoke
• ½ tsp ground thyme
• 1¼ tsp teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• ½ cup uncooked long grain white rice, rinsed and drained (set aside)*
• 2 Tbsp gumbo filé powder
• 2 Tbsp The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce
• salt
• pepper