Rabbit Gumbo

1 small onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 dressed rabbit (about 3 pounds), cut into pieces
1/2 pound smoked sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup sliced okra
Hot cooked rice

In a Dutch oven, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Add rabbit and enough water to cover. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is very tender.

Add sausage, salt, thyme, pepper and cayenne. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove rabbit; cool.

Debone and cut rabbit into bite-size pieces; return to pan. Stir in okra; bring to a boil. Serve in bowls over rice.

Yields 4 to 6 servings.