Vegetarian Gumbo - Better Than Bouillon

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 ribs celery, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Organic Seasoned Vegetable Base
• 2 cans (5.5-ounce) spicy tomato sauce
• 1 can (28-ounce) petite tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15-ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-ounce) red beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups frozen cut okra, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke
• .5 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• .5 cup uncooked long grain white rice, rinsed and drained (set aside)*
• 2 tablespoons gumbo filé powder
• The Original “Louisiana” Brand Hot Sauce™, to taste
• pepper
• salt