Bayou Land Seafood Gumbo File Recipes

BAYOU SEAFOOD GUMBO

Steps:

• Combine stock, bay leaves, red pepper, ham and 2 teaspoons salt in large pot. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce to medium. Cover and simmer 45 minute.
• Meanwhile, make roux by heating bacon drippings in skillet over medium heat. Add flour. Stir until absorbed. Do not let it burn. Stir constantly until flour is light brown.
• Add oil, okra, onions, garlic, green pepper. Sauté until tender. Add tomatoes. Cook another 5 minutes.
• Add sautéed vegetables to beef stock. Add 1 tsp salt, thyme, catsup, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for one hour.
• Add shrimp, crabmeat and green onions. Cook 40 minutes. Add gumbo file during last 30 minutes. Serve with rice.

SEAFOOD FILE GUMBO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Shell and devein the shrimp, reserve the shells. Place the shrimp in a covered bowl and refrigerate. Place the shells on a cookie sheet, and bake until the shells are dried and starting to brown on the edges. Turn off the oven.
• Make the stock: In a 8 quart pot, put 5 quarts of water, 4 carrots, 4 onions, and celery. Add 2 bay leaves, sliced garlic, parsley, cloves, 1 teaspoons black pepper, 1 tablespoon dried basil and 2 teaspoons dried thyme. Add the shrimp shells. Bring the stock slowly to boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook 5 to 7 hours, replacing water as needed, 2 or 3 times, by pouring more water down side of pot.
• Remove stock from heat and strain. Press all liquid from the shells and vegetables, then discard them. Return liquid to heat and reduce stock to 2 to 3 quarts, or to your desired quantity (you will need 7 cups of this stock for this recipe). If clarity is desired, strain the stock through a cloth.
• In a small bowl, combine the ground red, white, and black peppers, paprika, thyme, oregano, bay leaf and salt and set aside.
• In a heavy pot, 5-quart or larger, heat oil over medium heat, warming the pot first. Add onions, celery and green pepper. Turn heat to high. Stirring frequently, add garlic, file, hot pepper sauce, and the pepper-herb mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add tomato sauce and stir as it reduces over high heat. Add 7 cups of the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• When ready to serve, add shrimp, oysters, and crabmeat. Cover and wait 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand for 10 minutes.