Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 8 cups shrimp stock
  • 1 pound fish pieces (any white fish available-i.e. escolar, amberjack, pompano, etc.)
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage
  • 2 dozen oysters with their liquid
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
  • File powder
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 tablespoon chopped green onions
  • Loaf crusty French bread
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • In a large heavy pot, heat the oil.
  • When the oil is hot, whisk in the flour.
  • Stir the mixture constantly for 15 to 20 minutes, for a dark brown roux.
  • Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, salt, Essence, cayenne, and bay leaves.
  • Cook for 12 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are wilted.
  • Add the stock and mix to blend with the roux.
  • Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the fish pieces and continue cooking for 15 minutes.
  • Add the shrimp and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Add the crabmeat, oysters, green onions and parsley and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the edges of the oysters curl.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Add the File` powder to thicken at the end.
  • Ladle the gumbo in a shallow dish.
  • Place a heaping portion or two of the rice in the center of the gumbo.
  • Sprinkle the green onions over top.
  • Serve with a piece of French bread.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Yield: about 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
  • Published by William and Morrow, 1993.