Grandma's Creole Gumbo

Serves 5 to 6

·         3 tbsp. butter

·         3 tbsp. all- purpose flour

·         ½ cup chopped onion

·         1 clove garlic, minced

·         1, 1 pound, can tomatoes, cut up

·         ½ cup chopped green pepper

·         2 bay leaves

·         1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed

·         1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed

·         ½ tsp. salt

·         ¼ tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce

·         2, 4 ½ ounce, cans shrimp, drained and cut up

·         1, 7 ½ ounce, can crab meat, drained

·         1 tbsp. file powder

In large saucepan, melt butter; blend in flour.  Cook and stir 7 to 8 minutes, or till golden brown.  Stir in onion and garlic; cook till onion is tender.  Stir in undrained tomatoes, green pepper, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper sauce, and 1 ½ cups water.  Bring to boil.  Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes.  Remove bay leaves.  Stir in shrimp and crab; heat through.  Remove from heat.  Blend a moderate amount hot liquid into file powder.  Return to saucepan; stir till combined.