Smoked Fish Jambalaya

Preheat the oven to 375°. Heat the olive oil in a large enameled cast-iron casserole. Add the onion, bell pepper and celery and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the bay leaves, cloves, garlic, thyme, salt, cayenne, pepper, filé and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the scallops, smoked fish and rice. Add the clam juice, water and Worcestershire sauce, cover and bring to a simmer.
Bake the jambalaya for 25 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Let the jambalaya stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Pick out the bay leaves and cloves before serving, if desired.

Notes Filé powder is made from ground dried sassafras leaves. It acts as a thickener for stews and is an integral ingredient in Creole cooking.