"*NOTE: To toast flour, preheat oven to very hot (500F). Line a small cookie sheet with foil, turning up the foil edges. Spread the flour in a thin layer over the foil. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light brown. Cool. Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the sweet red pepper, saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the flour until mied. Stir in the broth. Add the chicken, ham, tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper and hot red pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the okra, simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls. Add 1/3 cup rice to each bowl. Posted to recipelu-digest by James and Susan Kirkland on Feb 02, 1998"