Gumbo

"This is originally a shrimp gumbo recipe, but it's gumbo, so you can add whatever turns you on. I always eat it with more than just a few dashes of Tabasco. I hope you like it."

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced scallion
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon creole seasoning ( Tony Chachere's)
• 2 lbs any combo of sausage or 2 lbs shrimp or 2 lbs chicken ( etc.)

Directions

9. In a large stockpot combine oil and flour and cook over medium-high heat about 15 minutes or until it turns very dark brown, almost between brown and black.
10. You will have to stir almost constantly.
11. This is called the roux.
12. Add onions, parsley, celery, bell peppers, scallions and garlic and cook about 10 more minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring regularly.
13. Add broth, salt, and creole seasoning.
14. (If you like you may also add a 10 oz package of frozen okra at this point, but I despise the stuff).
15. Cover pot and simmer 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
16. Add your chosen combination of meat at this point and simmer an additional 10 minutes (if using whole pieces of crab like claws, or blue crab halves cook a little longer to ensure they're cooked all the way.).
17. Ladle over steamed white rice.