When the weather gets cold it becomes time to make gumbo.

This time I brought the camera......click on the link and hit the small arrow next to the pictures at the top. For those curiuos, you'll see a "how to".

Gumbo is well worth the effort.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/11307/gumbo_...lideshow.html?cat=22

Looks real good. I know it's in the link but I'm a little daft with this....what's the recipe? I'd love to give it a go! Thanks.

Clark

I have never been able to get a roux that looks that good. The gumbo looks great....tom

Clark, hit the arrow next to the picture bar to see more pics and explanations. But here is a more detailed version.

This version comes from my Acadian heritage in Breaux Bridge, La.....and no version is the absolute way.

Roux
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oil (I use about 2/3 of each for a thicker version)

follow the pics in the link to make the roux (it's a bit tricky and is easy to burn if you don't reduce the heat at the right time).

A hint for the roux is to get the oil hot enough so that the oil "shows" heat but isn't at a smoke point.

The first few minutes are key, as you'll need to turn the heat down once the roux starts to brown.

Then it's just the process of time and stirring.

4 skinless thighs
2 skinless breasts

season the chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper on both sides

one large onion (the pics had two med onions)
2 stalks celery
1 bell pepper (optional)

2 lbs of smoked sausage (one hot, one not)

1/2 cup curly parsley
4-5 cloves garlic

1 tbls of file
2 48 oz cans of chicken broth (or one can of water instead)

Note- I'll still add more water to fill to the rivets in the 8 qt stock pot once all of the meat has been added back for the boil.

1 tsp of thyme
1 small container of oysters (optional)

Brown most of the sausage in a separate skillet.

Make the roux in another 11-12 inch skillet.

brown the chicken in a tbl of oil in the stock pot

brown the extra sausage in the same pot

add the veggies and the garlic, stir

add a cup of white wine to release the fond, stir

add the roux and mix well, keep on med heat

as the roux and onions thicken, add some chicken broth (about 24 oz) and increase heat to med high

mix well and the roux and broth will get "chummy"

add the rest of the first can and bring to a rolling boil, stir frequently

add half of the next can, repeating the previous step. when the roux and broth bond add the second half of the second can

again bring to a rolling boil then add all of the meat

bring back to a boil, and top off with additional water or broth

stay near the pot and reduce the boil to a simmering boil, but DO NOT STIR

let the foam develop on the top (reduce heat if needed) and skim off the surface foam (you'll need a simmering boil to do this)

once the foam is mostly gone, reduce the heat to low or a simmer, and let the chicken cook for an hour.

remove the chicken to debone it, and safely hold it to be served on the side.

let the gumbo simmer for 2-3 hours.

add the thyme.

just before serving, add the parsley and oysters.

serve over rice.

hope I didn't leave anything out.

Looks great. Nice job on the roux, i love that smell as it starts to turn that nice deep brown.

Kev

the smell of roux is great and it lingers for quite a while.

Nice looking gumbo Craig. Thanks for the post and pics and info!

quote:

When the weather gets cold it becomes time to make gumbo.

Only when it gets cold? It's always time for gumbo if it's good gumbo! In warmer weather, just add 2 more ingredients; cold beer and an extra napkin for the sweat (if too spicy).

Good looking gumbo; I envy your roux making skills.

Paul

never had gumbo, heard of it but I had no idea what it was

it looks and sounds great, thanks for the post!

You should try it sometime, it's fantastic.

[/QUOTE]
Only when it gets cold? It's always time for gumbo if it's good gumbo! [/QUOTE]

I couldn't agree more. I cook chicken/ham/sausage gumbo at least once a month, and I live in Phoenix. Just as good when it is 110 outside as when its 40 degrees!

Haven't had it either so I googled b4 I paged down for your version.

I did come across this which I thought added some "common sense" to this operation:

The important thing to remember about roux is that you must cook it slowly over low heat.

Emeril Lagasse, TV chef and owner of 3 New Orleans restaurants says that a good roux takes 2 beers. “I put the flour in the oil and open the first beer. By the time I’ve finished the second one, the roux is just right”!

If you're making gumbo for the first time (or the hundreth), an oven baked roux works fantastic. No, it's not really traditional, but it works quite well.
Alton Brown's shrimp gumbo using this method is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/rec...bo-recipe/index.html
I've used this method for other types of gumbo with awesome results....I find it much easier than babysitting a pot. Adjust the cooking time for the type of roux you're shooting for...light, dark, etc.
Notice the flour to fat ratio is by WEIGHT, not volume...this is important and often overlooked when making roux.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tim Y,

Roux tip: Use a heavy pot, like Le Creuset or other cast iron, and you can maintain low, EVEN heat that avoids the spikes (especially on electric burners) that can burn the roux.

I've used my 5.5 Qt. Le Creuset and a much larger black cast iron pot many times for gumbo, with no burned roux.