1/2 tbsp. shortening
1 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. diced celery
1 sm. onion, minced
1 clove garlic, mashed
1/2 lb. shrimp, shelled & cleaned
3 hard shell crabs, cleaned or crabmeat
1/4 lb. ham, diced
1 green pepper, chopped
1/4 can tomato paste
1/2 pt. water
1 qt. chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Cayenne to taste
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. file powder

Make a roux by browning flour in the melted shortening. Add celery, onion and garlic. Cook over a low flame until clear. Then add the shrimp and crab and cook for 5 minutes. To this add the ham, green pepper, tomato paste and all ingredients except file and parsley. Simmer one hour. Just before serving stir in file and parsley. Serve over rice.