GUMBO Z'HERBES (GREEN GUMBO)

      Title: GUMBO Z'HERBES (GREEN GUMBO)
  Categories: Cajun, Soups, Pork, Ham
       Yield: 8 Servings
  
      10 oz Fresh spinach OR
      10 oz Package frozen leaf spinach
      10 oz Fresh mustard greens OR
      10 oz Pkg frozen mustard greens
      10 oz Fresh turnip greens OR
      10 oz Pkg frozen turnip greens
      10 oz Fresh collard greens OR
      10 oz Pkg frozen collard greens
     1/2    Medium cabbage, shredded
       2    Bay leaves, minced
       1 ts Dried leaf basil
       1 ts Dried leaf thyme
       1 ts Dried leaf oregano
     1/4 ts Ground allspice
     1/8 ts Ground cloves
     1/4 ts Fresh grated nutmeg
       4 qt GOOD chicken stock
       1 lb Lean boneless pork
       1 lb Smoked ham
     2/3 c  Vegetable oil
       2    Lg onions, chopped
       4    Celery stalks, chopped
       1    Lg green bell pepper, chop
       4    Lg garlic cloves, chopped
       2 tb Sugar
            Salt
            Fresh ground black pepper
            Cayenne pepper
      24    Shucked oysters with liquor*
      12    Green onions, thinly sliced
     1/2 c  Flat-leaf parsley, minced
   3 1/2 tb File powder (approximately)
       5 c  Hot cooked rice
            SEASONING MIX:
     1/2 ts Salt
     1/2 ts Fresh ground black pepper
     1/2 ts Cayenne pepper
     1/2 ts Paprika
     1/2 ts Onion powder
     1/2 ts Garlic powder
  
   *24 oysters equals about 2 pints.
   Wash fresh greens; tear into small pieces.  Remove large stalks and
   ribs. (If using frozen greens, thaw and drain before proceeding).
   Place cleaned or thawed greens, cabbage, bay leaves, basil, thyme,
   oregano, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg into a large soup pot. Add
   stock and enough water to cover greens by 3 inches. Bring to a boil.
   Reduce heat. Cover; simmer while preparing remaining ingredients.
   Prepare Seasoning Mix. Cut pork and ham into bite-size pieces. Add
   meats to Seasoning Mix. Shake to coat lightly. Set seasoned meat
   aside while oil heats. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over
   medium-high heat. When oil is very hot, add seasoned meat; stir until
   brown on all sides.  Remove browned meat with a slotted spoon; add to
   simmering greens.  Reduce heat to medium; add onions, celery, bell
   pepper, and garlic to skillet. Cook until vegetables are wilted,
   about 5 minutes. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon; add to
   simmering greens. Stir in sugar; simmer, uncovered for one hour.
   Season to taste with salt, black pepper and cayenne. Cover; simmer 2
   hours. About 10 minutes before serving, GENTLY stir in oysters with
   their liquor, green onions, and parsley. Cook until edges of oysters
   curl. Spoon about 1/2 cup rice into each soup bowl. Spoon gumbo over
   rice; top with a pinch of file powder. Makes 8-10 good-sized
   servings.
   To prepare Seasoning Mix: Place all ingredients in a large plastic
   bag and shake to combine.
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