- Filé powder
Filé powder, also called gumbo filé, is a
spice made from dried and groundsassafras leaves. It is used in the making of some types ofgumbo , a Creole soup/stew. It is sprinkled sparingly over gumbo as aseasoning and athickening agent , giving it a distinctive flavor and texture. Filé was originally anokra substitute when okra was not in season.Fact|date=August 2007Safrole , the main constituent of sassafras oil which is distilled from the bark of sassafras roots, has been shown to cause liver cancer in laboratory rats. However it has been disputed (Duke 2002) that the amount safrole in leaves, tea and root beer is health threatening. [McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997:152-4] [ [http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s159safa.pdf NTP Report, Safrole, CAS No. 94-59-7] ]However, according to FoodReference.com sassafras leaves are "now treated commercially to produce a safrole-free product" and are safe for consumption. The source also notes that " [t] he safrole free extract has, unfortunately, an inferior flavor" when compared to Filé powder containing safrole. [ [http://www.foodreference.com/html/artsassafras.html "Food Facts", FoodReference.Com] ]
Filé is mentioned in the chorus of
Hank Williams ' hit "Jambalaya".References
External links
* [http://www.nolacuisine.com/2006/07/03/homemade-file-powder/ How to make Homemade File Powder at Nola Cuisine]
* [http://www.nolacuisine.com/2006/07/13/file-gumbo-recipe/ File Gumbo Recipe at Nola Cuisine]
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