Seafood Gumbo

A true Cajun classic. The original recipe had 2 tbsp vegetable oil and 2 tbsp flour and  quarts of water. At the end of the cooking cycle right before being served, the powdered file was added and the cook would dip the ladle in and out of the gumbo aerating the broth; this action would thicken the gumbo,  The true meaning of file gumbo.

Ingredients

• 1 lb crab meat
• 1 pint oysters drained
• 1 lb raw shrimp
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup flour
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tbsp red pepper
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp filé powder
• 1 cup green onion tops
• 3 or more quarts water

Directions