- make the roux - add the celery, bell pepper and onions and cook about 5 -6 minutes, then add garlic and saute about 30 seconds - add broth & spices, cover & simmer 30 minutes - while the broth simmers, chop and brown the sausage and make the rice - add the shrimp, sausage, okra and tomato, simmer about 10 minutes or until shrimp are done - add the file powder, allow to thicken (if no file, can use a corn starch slurry) Serve over hot rice