File powder, which is sassafras, is used as a thickening agent in this stew but if you can't find it it's fine without.
This recipe was very easy to make. It is pretty spicy, but I enjoy it that way. The snapper was great. I added about a pound of shrimp and some fresh s to the recipe, and it worked great. It was so good it made me want to slap my mama. Since she lives out of town, I slapped my mother in law instead. - 14 Oct 2007 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
My husband claims this is the best jambalaya I've ever made (and I've made a few). We love seafood, so I added shrimp and calamari. Have tried it with red snapper and tilapia, good with either, but snapper was better. Also put in a little turkey polska kielbasa. - 14 Mar 2005 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
Since I dont know what the heck file powder is I didnt use it but I guess it didnt really need it because it was very tasty. I also used canned tomatoes and chicken broth. It was great, The only other change I made was to place the snapper filets on the top at the end to sort of poach it since I was afraid it would over cook. - 21 Mar 2007 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)