Chicken Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 chicken, cut for frying
1 medium size onion, chopped fine
onion tops and parsley
9 c. hot water (not boiling)
salt and pepper to taste
6 Tbsp. flour
1 large green pepper
celery, chopped fine
1/2 c. shortening (preferably ham or bacon grease)
1/2 to 1 tsp. gumbo file

Preparation

Cut chicken as for frying and fry slightly.
Remove chicken and stir flour into shortening in which the chicken was fried. Stir constantly until golden brown (not burnt).
Add onions and stir until soft.
Place chicken again in pot.
Add 9 cups of water (hot) and let simmer slowly.
Season to taste and add green pepper and celery.
Gumbo should be allowed to simmer 2 to 3 hours. About 1 hour before serving, add finely cut onion tops and parsley.
Gumbo file is put in as you serve your plate; a pinch or more can be added.
Never cook the file.
Serve with steamed rice. Serves 6 people.