Seafood File Gumbo Recipe

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.