*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                           Austin's File' Gumbo

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 10   Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Soups                            Seafood

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  pound         Margarine
   1                    Rib celery -- chop
   1                    Onion -- chop fine
   1                    Sprigs parsley -- chop fine
   5      milliliters   Garlic -- mince
     1/2  cup           Flour
   1      gallon        Shellfish stock or water
   3                    Bay leaves
     1/2  pound         Smoked ham -- dice
   6                    Crabs; clean -- quarter
     1/2  pound         Hot sausage -- 1/4" slice
     1/2  pound         Smoked sausage -- 1/2" slice
     1/2  pound         Shrimp; peel, devein -- save
                        and shells for stock
   1      tablespoon    Thyme
                        Salt and pepper
   2      tablespoons   File' powder
                        Fresh cooked rice

Place margarine at bottom of a large soup pot. Add celery, onion, parsley, green pepper and garlic.
 Saute' and then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes over low heat.
 Add flour and stir constantly for 15 more minutes. 
Add stock or water and bay leaves. Heat over medium flame for 20 minutes.
 Stir in ham, crabs, sausages and cook for 20 to 30 minutes.
 Bring to a boil and keep stirring to avoid sticking. When pot returns to boil, add shrimp,
 thyme, salt and pper. Allow to return to the boiling point again
. Remove from heat and check salt and pepper, adding more if needed.
 Finally, stir in file' powder and serve immediately over fresh rice.
 Source: Chef Austin Leslie,

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