Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (3 lb)  chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 3 quarts water
• 1 lb smoked sausage, 1/2" slices
• 6 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
• 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 dungeness crabs, cooked,cleaned,and cracked
• 2-3 tablespoons file powder
• 8 cups hot cooked basmati rice
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

Directions

1. 1

   First, make a roux.

2. 2

   In a medium-size cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Stir in the flour.

4. 4

   Cook, stirring often, about 15-20 minutes until the roux is deep brown in color.

5. 5

   Watch the mixture closely and adjust the heat to keep from burning.

6. 6

   Remove from heat and set aside.

7. 7

   Meanwhile, in an 8-quart pot, combine the chicken and water.

8. 8

   Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 30-45 minutes , until the chicken is cooked through.

9. 9

   Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool.

10. 10

    Add the sausage, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, and crushed red pepper to the pot.

11. 11

    Simmer for 30 minutes.

12. 12

    Stir the roux into the gumbo, a spoonful at a time.

13. 13

    Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

14. 14

    Simmer 20-30 minutes longer.

15. 15

    While the gumbo is simmering, remove the skin and bones from the cooled chicken.

16. 16

    Tear the chicken into bite-size pieces.

17. 17

    Add the chicken, shrimp, and crabs to the pot, and cook for 5 minutes, until the shrimp is cooked through.

18. 18

    Stir in the file powder, cooking just until the gumbo is slightly thickened.

19. 19

    Ladle the gumbo over scoops of hot rice in large soup bowls.

20. 20

    Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.