Gumbo, Country Style - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 c. flour
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. chopped onions
1 c. chopped celery
1/2 medium green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
5 c. chicken broth
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, crushed
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. marjoram
1/8 tsp. basil
1/8 tsp. sage
1/8 tsp. rosemary
1/8 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
1 lb. chicken, boiled and cut in 1-inch pieces
1 lb. peeled, deveined raw shrimp
1 lb. crab meat (optional)
1 (10 oz.) pkg. sliced okra
1 1/2 tsp. gumbo file
hot cooked rice

Preparation

Blend flour in oil in Dutch oven or large pot (preferably cast-iron).
Cook, stirring constantly, until flour turns a deep brown.
Add onions, celery, green pepper and garlic.
Cook until tender.
Stir in broth, tomatoes, tomato paste and seasonings. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
Cook okra just until it begins to brown.
Add chicken, shrimp and okra.
Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
Adjust seasonings to taste.
Stir in file before serving.
Do not boil once file is added.