4 hard shell crabs, cleaned
1/2 lb. hot sausage cut in bite size pieces
1/2 lb. smoked ham, cubed
1/2 lb. smoked sausage cut in pieces
1/2 lb. beef, cubed
1/2 c. peanut oil
4 tbsp. flour
1 c. chopped onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 qts. water
6 chicken wings cut in half
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. file powder
2 doz. oysters with their liquid
1/4 c. chopped parsley
1 tsp. ground thyme

Put crabs, sausages, stew meat, and ham in a 5 quart pot over medium heat. Cover and let cook in its own fat for 25 minutes, it will produce enough, but stay with the pot. Heat oil in skillet and add flour to make a roux (gravy), browning until golden. Add onion and cook over low heat until onions wilt. Pour onion mixture over the ingredients in the large pot. Add water, chicken wings, shrimp, paprika, salt and file powder. Bring to a boil and cook 30 minutes. Add oyster parsley, garlic, and thyme. Lower heat and cook 10 minutes more before serving. Serves 8 to 10.