Lots of file'

[helenjp]

Well...I ordered some file'...but I ordered rather more than I'm likely to use up on gumbo in the next few months!

What other foods benefit from the texture and taste of sassafras?

[Special K]

Well...I ordered some file'...but I ordered rather more than I'm likely to use up on gumbo in the next few months!

What other foods benefit from the texture and taste of sassafras?

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I'd like to know, too. The only place I can find file' around here is at Cash 'N Carry, and it's in a BIG jar. I've never made gumbo, and I'd like to try, but then what do I do with all the rest of the file'?

[helenjp]

Actually, come to think of it, what other spices or condiments blend well with file, which is certainly not a shy and retiring kind of flavor?

[shellfishfiend]

Your question got me thinking and I think I will try file in my next batch of red beans and rice. I often also do white beans and rice, both with sausage. I think the herbal qualities of file might go nicely with the mild taste of the beans.

[HungryC]

Some traditional cooks in south Louisiana use a little file in a brown gravy or thin pan sauce--it serves the same purpose as in gumbo: slight thickening and added pleasant, green, herbaceous notes.

[annecros]

Oh gosh, any sort of stew, bean soup, I've even tossed it into some braises. Pork loves it, but it works with beef as well. Then of course, Chicken. Chicken Pot Pie to be exact. It thickens, but adds sort of an astringent component, that can actually lighten and brighten things a bit.

Just remember to use it as a finish.

[Batard]

I make a lot of gumbo and never used file' powder. The only time I saw it in the store -- extremely hard to find around here -- it came in a huge jar which I would never have used up. This thread verifies that.

For gumbo, I just use Okra. Most gumbo recipes only call for file' it if you are not using Okra, and I like the texture okra gives to gumbo.

[Danno]

That's a good one! It would probably thicken a Chicken Fricassee up nicely, or any braised dish for that matter, especially game.

I make my own File, harvesting leaves from some Sassafras trees I found in my neck of the woods here in Michigan. Here is my post on the Subject of Homemade File Powder:

http://www.nolacuisine.com/2006/07/03/homemade-file-powder/

Also here is a link to a few recipes all using File, from Uncle Bill's File:

http://www.unclebillspices.com/recipes.htm

Well...I ordered some file'...but I ordered rather more than I'm likely to use up on gumbo in the next few months!

What other foods benefit from the texture and taste of sassafras?

←