Place the meat, if using, with the salt, cayenne, and bay leaves in a large deep pot and add water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 30 minutes. If using meat, remove it with a slotted spoon, chop it, and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the greens, a handful at a time, and blanch until they are wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid. Coarsely chop the greens. Set aside.
In the same pot, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, bell peppers, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are wilted and golden, about 10 minutes.
Add the meat, greens, reserved liquid, thyme, oregano, basil, and parsley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the bay leaves. Adjust seasonings with salt, if desired. (If not using meat, the gumbo may need more salt.) Also, if no meat has been added, add 4 tablespoons butter to the pot just before removing from the heat.
Serve in deep soup bowls over steamed white rice with file powder passed at the table for guests to thicken the gumbo to their personal taste. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	253.29 Kcal (1060 kJ)
Calories from fat	108.35 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	12.04g	19%
Cholesterol	52.68mg	18%
Sodium	1075.18mg	45%
Potassium	736.65mg	16%
Total Carbs	15.43g	5%
Sugars	6.18g	25%
Dietary Fiber	10.31g	41%
Protein	26.21g	52%
Vitamin C	104mg	173%
Vitamin A	0.7mg	22%
Iron	11.2mg	62%
Calcium	526.7mg	53%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	34.5 Kcal (144 kJ)
Calories from fat	14.76 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	1.64g	19%
Cholesterol	7.17mg	18%
Sodium	146.44mg	45%
Potassium	100.33mg	16%
Total Carbs	2.1g	5%
Sugars	0.84g	25%
Dietary Fiber	1.4g	41%
Protein	3.57g	52%
Vitamin C	14.2mg	173%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	22%
Iron	1.5mg	62%
Calcium	71.7mg	53%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

5.3

Points
6

PointsPlus

Good Points

low calorie,
low fat,
saturated fat free,
low cholesterol

Bad Points

High in Sodium

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