Gumbo Filé

Ingredients

• 4 lbs stewing chicken
• 2 quarts water
• 1/2 lb ham, cubed
• 2 onions, peeled and chopped
• 1 pint oyster, juice reserved
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)
• cayenne (to taste)
• 1/2 chili pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons file powder
• 2 cups rice, cooked

Directions

1. 1

   Cut chicken in serving portions and simmer in salted water until tender.

2. 2

   Remove bones and cut meat into cubes.

3. 3

   Fry ham.

4. 4

   Brown onions in ham fat.

5. 5

   Combine chicken, ham, cooked onions and oyster juice; cover with boiling chicken stock.

6. 6

   Add seasonings and chili pepper; simmer for two hours.

7. 7

   About ten minutes before serving moisten filé powder with a little of the soup; add to soup along with the oysters.

8. 8

   Do not cook after adding filé.

9. 9

   Place a mound of cooked rice in each soup dish and ladle gumbo over the top.