Cajun Gumbo

Ingredients

• 12 c vegetable oil
• 12 c flour
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 lb okra chopped
• 2 qt water
• extra oil for frying
• 1 large bell pepper chopped
• 1 c green onions chopped
• 14 c parsley chopped
• 4 stalks celery chopped
• 14 c Worcestershire sauce
• Tabasco sauce to taste
• 1 Tbsp basil
• 12 Tbsp thyme
• 14 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 to 3 bay leaves
• gumbo file
• salt pepper onion powder cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 16 oz can whole tomatoes undrained and chopped
• 2 to 3 lb seafood of your choice or 1 whole chicken deboned and 1 lb sausage sliced

Directions

1. In a large heavy pot heat the 12 cup vegetable oil
2. Add the flour to the oil to make a dark-reddish brown roux
3. Continue stirring on low heat until roux is reddish-brown
4. If roux burns start over because gumbo will taste burned
5. Add onions green onions celery bell pepper garlic salt and parsley
6. Cook until onions are transparent 30 minutes
7. In a separate skillet fry okra in a small amount of oil until okra is soft
8. Add tomatoes to vegetables
9. Add okra and all other ingredients except meat and file
10. Add water
11. If using chicken and sausage add meat now
12. If making seafood add during the last 30 minutes of cooking
13. Simmer 2 12 to 3 hours
14. Serve over rice
15. Sprinkle file over gumbo to taste