Opelousas Oyster Gumbo

Description
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

 * 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
 * 1/4 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
 * 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
 * 1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
 * Dash ground red pepper
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1/2 pound peeled, deveined raw shrimp
 * 1 pint oysters with liquid
 * Gumbo file*
 * 3 cups hot cooked rice

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