1 dozen crabs, scalded
1 c. chopped onion
1 lb. okra
1 c. chopped celery
3 c. raw shrimp, deveined, peeled
2 dozen oysters
2 c. canned tomatoes, drained
5 bay leaves
Salt, pepper
Dash cayenne or pepper sauce
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
4 tbsp. flour
4 tbsp. butter
1 c. tomato liquid
5 c. hot water
2 tbsp. file

Melt butter in saucepan; add flour. Saute onion and celery until light brown. Add okra and cook about 30 minutes until it ceases to rope, stirring often. Stir in tomatoes and gradually add hot water and tomato liquid. Add bay leaves, crab, shrimp, oysters, parsley, salt and pepper.

Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring often. The file powder is stirred into gumbo just before serving. Clean crabs; remove hard shells and legs. Crack claws and cut body in half. Serves 4-6.