Opelousas Oyster Gumbo

Description
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

 * ¼ cup all-purpose flour
 * ¼ cup butter or margarine
 * 1 cup chopped green peppers
 * 1 cup chopped onion
 * 1 clove garlic, crushed
 * 2 cups water
 * 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
 * ¼ teaspoon thyme leaves
 * dash ground red pepper
 * 1 bay leaf
 * ½ pound peeled, deveined raw shrimp
 * 1 pint oysters with liquid
 * gumbo filé
 * 3 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

 * 1) Brown flour in butter until it is a deep red-brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
 * 2) Add green peppers, onion and garlic.
 * 3) Cook until vegetables are tender.
 * 4) Stir in water, parsley, salt, black pepper, thyme, red pepper and bay leaf.
 * 5) Add shrimp and oysters with liquid.
 * 6) Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes longer until shrimp are pink and oysters begin to curl.
 * 7) Remove from heat and add gumbo file to taste.
 * 8) Serve in shallow bowls over fluffy rice.