Poor Man's Gumbo

Ingredients

• 12 slices bacon (about 1/2 lb)
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes, diced
• 1 (12 ounce) can tuna, solid white packed in water
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 jalapeno chile, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon file powder, like Zatarain's (I just found a box of gumbo mix and used its flavoring because I couldn't find what she was describi)
• 1 1/4 cups rice, cooked

Directions

1. 1

   In a large heavy skillet, cook the bacon over mid heat until crisp.

2. 2

   Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

3. 3

   Drain off all but 1/4 c bacon fat and return the skillet to the heat.

4. 4

   Add celery and onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the tomatoes, tuna & liquid, tomato paste, jalapeño and 1 c water.

6. 6

   Simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.

7. 7

   Whisk in the file powder, remove from heat.

8. 8

   Serve gumbo over rice and crumble bacon on top.