File Gumbo

• 2 tbsp oil
• Chicken, shrimp, andouillee sausage, crab - any single or combination of the above
• 2 onions finely chopped
• 2 large red bell peppers
• 12 cups water
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• cayenne to taste
• 2 10 oz boxes of frozen okra
• 3 tbsp file powder

1. In a cast iron skillet heat oil , brown chicken ( exception seafood) season to taste and set aside
2. If using shrimp, saute until pink and remove from skillet...replace at the end just after okra is done
3. In remaining oil saute onion and bell peppers until softened
4. Replace chicken to vegetables and add water, broth, bring to a boil stirring occassionally
5. Simmer mixture about 2 hours..skim off any fat
6. Stir in garlic and Cayenne
7. Cut okra into rounds and continue to cook just a few minutes until okra is done
8. Add sauteed shrimp if applicable
9. Remove from heat, let cool slightly. Add file powder
10. DO NOT let gumbo boil with file powder...it will become stringy
11. Serve over rice...serves 10-15

oil, chicken, onions, red bell peppers, water, chicken broth, garlic, cayenne, okra, file powder

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/file-gumbo-51951601 (may not work)