Ingredients

  • 3 quarts chicken stock
  • 2 pounds turtle meat
  • 4 celery ribs, coarsely chopped with the leaves
  • 2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 peppercorns, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon clarified butter
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large tomatoes-peeled, seeded, and chopped with juice reserved (about 4 cups)
  • 4 bay leaves, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • Salt, freshly milled black pepper, and cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons gumbo file powder
  • Dry sherry

Method

  • Stock:
  • In a soup kettle, combine all of the stock ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • When the liquid begins to boil, reduce the heat and simmer, skimming the surface from time to time, for 1 hour.
  • Remove the meat and reserve.
  • Soup:
  • When the meat is cool enough to handle, remove it from the liquid.
  • Strain the stock and return it to a clean soup, kettle.
  • Discard the solids.
  • With a sharp boning knife, remove any gristle or fat from the turtle meat.
  • Finely diced the meat.
  • Add the meat to the strained stock and place the kettle over moderately low heat.
  • Allow the soup to heat through but do not let it bubble.
  • Reduce the heat if necessary.
  • In a heavy saucepan, heat the clarified butter over moderately low heat and whisk in the flour.
  • Continue to whisk until the mixture becomes thick and a rich brown color, about 7 minutes, adjusting the heat so the roux does not burn.
  • Add 1 cup of the simmering stock to the roux and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick.
  • (Add a little more stock if necessary.)
  • Add the roux mixture to the stock and stir to blend.
  • Add the chopped vegetables and herbs.
  • Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  • Bring the soup to a low boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 2 hours.
  • Check for seasonings and remove from the heat.
  • Just before serving, stir in the file powder and serve in heated bowls, accompanied with dry sherry to be poured into the soup by the guest.