Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 lbs. shrimp or crawfish, peeled
1 lb. crabmeat
1 qt. oysters with liquor
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 qts. water
Salt, pepper, tabasco and file to taste

Instructions

Make a roux by mixing the flour in the oil in a large iron skillet over medium heat until brown. Add water very slowly (caution), gradually smoothing into a paste. Continue adding all the water. Add vegetables and cook 30 minutes. Add crabmeat. Add bayleaves and all seasonings, but save parsley to end of the cooking time, and the file for the very last. Cook 15 minutes. Add shrimp and oysters. Cook until oysters curl (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, add file and serve. Gumbo is usually served with a large spoonful of rice.