Gumbo Soup Recipe

From MRS. E. J. P. HOWES, of Michigan, Lady Manager.
Take one-half dozen fresh tomatoes or a pint of canned, and stew a
half hour in a pint of water; strain through a colander; put the
liquid on the fire; stir in a teaspoonful of soda; then add a pint of
heated milk; season with a little butter (a dessertspoonful); salt and
pepper to taste, and bring the whole to a boiling heat and serve hot.
From MRS. ANNA M. FOSDICK, of Alabama, Lady Manager.
Cut up a chicken; sprinkle with flour, and fry in the vessel in which
the gumbo is to be made. When the chicken is nearly done, chop an
onion and fry with it. Pour on this three quarts of boiling water, and
let all boil slowly till the flesh leaves the bones of the chicken.
Then add the liquor from the oysters, two tablespoonfuls of tomato
catchup, and salt and pepper to taste. Let this boil a short time;
then add one hundred oysters. Do not allow them to boil more than two
minutes. Remove the vessel from the fire, and before pouring into the
tureen, sprinkle in two tablespoonfuls of filé. Serve always with
rice.
_To Prepare Filé for Gumbo_.--Gather sassafras leaves, as late as
possible in the season, before they turn red. Dry them in the shade
and open air. When perfectly dry, pound thorn, sift the powder and
bottle it Keep tightly corked.

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