hearty chicken and sausage gumbo soup my way

Ingredients For hearty chicken and sausage gumbo soup my way

• 12

  cups chicken stock from stewed chicken
• 1

  large stewing chicken
• 1

  bay leaf
• 2

  cups chopped onion
• 1

  cup chopped celery
• 3-4

  unpeeled red potatoes, cubed bite-sized
• 1

  small bag sweet baby carrots, sliced (or about 4 cups)
• 2

  cups (or more if desired) fresh or frozen sliced okra
• 1

  (28 oz.) can del monte stewed tomatoes, broken up with the juice
• 2

  (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
• 1

  (10 oz.) can corn with juice, i like white shoepeg corn
• 1

  (8 oz. pkg.) fresh or (10 oz.) jar drained, sliced mushrooms
• 4

  tbl. superior touch better than bouillon chicken base
• 1

  tsp. thyme
• 1

  tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2

  tsp. each salt and pepper
• 1/4

  cup sugar (or to taste), optional but we love it
• 1

  tsp. chili powder
• 1/2

  tbl. real butter
• 1

  (14 oz.) can chicken broth
• 1

  lb. andouille sausage, sliced on the bias, precooked
• 2

  cups cooked rice