POTATO GUMBO

Steps:

• For the potato gumbo:
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat.
• Add the onions and saute until golden brown. Add the garlic and smoked bacon and continue to saute.
• Once the bacon has cooked and becomes crisp, add the celery, Swiss chard stems, and green pepper, saute until tender. Remove the bacon mixture from the pan, put in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat the remaining vegetable oil in the same saute pan, add the flour and bay leaves.
• Stir with a wooden spoon incorporating the flour and oil to form a paste. Cook until the flour becomes brown and nutty in color. Add the chicken stock, water, and cayenne, stir.
• Add the potatoes and reserved bacon mixture to the liquid. Cook over medium heat until the potatoes are tender and the liquid reduces, achieving a thick consistency, approximately 30 minutes.
• Add the Swiss chard leaves, season with salt, and pepper, cooking until the leaves are wilted, serving.