Gimme Gumbo

Ingredients 

• 4 tbsp. vegetable shortening
• 4 tbsp. flour 
• 1  white onion, chopped
• 1  yellow bell pepper, chopped 
• 2 c. tomato, chopped
• 1 tbsp. garlic(2 med. cloves) minced
• 1 1/2 c.  brown rice 
• 4 cups chicken stock or broth
• 1/2 lb. scallops, chopped
• 1 Talapia fillet
• 1 lb. crawfish tails
• 1 lb. chicken sausage, 1/4-inch slices
• 3/4 tsp. salt 
• 1/2 tsp. ground pepper 
• 1/2 tsp.  cayenne
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 tsp. dried parsley leaves, chopped 
• 1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1. Melt shortening in a heavy 
skillet over very low heat. 

2. Sprinkle the same amount of 
flour across the skillet, stirring it in. 

3. Stir the mixture constantly until it reaches the desired color, which may take from 10 to 20 minutes to brown. 

4. Remove from the heat and continue stirring until cooled, so there’s no risk of burning.