**Gumbo: A Culinary Journey Through Louisiana's History and Culture**
Aromatic, hearty, and bursting with bold flavors, gumbo is a quintessential Louisiana dish that reflects the state's rich cultural heritage. This iconic stew originated in the 18th century when French, Spanish, and African culinary traditions intertwined, resulting in a unique dish that showcases the state's diverse culinary influences. Gumbo is a versatile dish with numerous variations, each reflecting the unique flavors and traditions of different regions and families. This article presents four authentic gumbo recipes that capture the essence of this beloved Louisiana dish. From the classic Creole Gumbo, brimming with shrimp, crab, and okra, to the rustic Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, each recipe offers a distinct taste experience. For vegetarians, the Vegetable Gumbo provides a flavorful and satisfying alternative, while the Seafood Gumbo combines a variety of seafood delicacies in a rich, savory broth. Whether you prefer a mild or spicy gumbo, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions to guide you in crafting this iconic dish that truly embodies the spirit of Louisiana's culinary heritage. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of Louisiana with these authentic gumbo recipes.
AUTHENTIC CAJUN GUMBO
I learned to cook in Louisiana and I love to cook Cajun food. This cajun gumbo recipe is one of my favorites. -Paul Morris, Kelso, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h45m
Yield 20 servings (1-1/4 cups each).
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place the first 11 ingredients in a stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours., Remove chicken and allow to cool. Strain broth, discarding vegetables; skim fat. Remove meat from bones; cut chicken into bite-size pieces and set aside. Discard bones., In the same pan, cook and stir oil and flour over medium heat until caramel-colored, about 14 minutes (do not burn). Add finely chopped onion; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Gradually stir in broth. Bring to a boil., Carefully stir in sausage and reserved chicken. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in okra and oysters. Simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or just until okra is tender. Stir in file powder. Serve with rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 319 calories, Fat 19g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 73mg cholesterol, Sodium 990mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 19g protein.
AUTHENTIC CHICKEN AND ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE GUMBO
In honor of my destroyed city, here is the real New Orleans chicken and sausage gumbo from my childhood. It doesn't get any better than this.
Provided by spaghetti_soprano
Categories Gumbo
Time 36m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning and brown quickly. Brown the sausage, pour off fat and reserve meats.
- In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil and cook the flour in the oil over medium to high heat (depending on your roux-making skill), stirring constantly, until the roux reaches a dark reddish-brown color, almost the color of coffee or milk chocolate for a Cajun-style roux. If you want to save time, or prefer a more New Orleans-style roux, cook it to a medium, peanut-butter color, over lower heat if you're nervous about burning it.
- Add the vegetables and stir quickly. This cooks the vegetables and also stops the roux from cooking further. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes.
- Add the stock, seasonings, chicken and sausage. Bring to a boil, then cook for about one hour, skimming fat off the top as needed.
- Add the chopped scallion tops and parsley, and heat for 5 minutes. Add file powder to taste just before serving. This also acts as a thickening agent. Serve over rice in large shallow bowls. Accompany with a good beer and lots of hot, crispy French bread.
AUTHENTIC CAJUN TURKEY GUMBO
In our house this is the only thing we do with leftover turkey! Serve over rice and with hot corn bread. This is our all-time favorite gumbo recipe from La Bonne Cuisine Cookbook from New Orleans. After cooking this for more than 25 years, we now ad-lib, I throw all the leftover turkey in, cover with water and go from there. But, for those of you who have never made a gumbo, it helps to follow the recipe a few times. This recipe is very tried and true, you will create an out of this world gumbo! *Just be careful to NOT burn the roux. You must stir constantly. Plan on having someone else answer the phone, you can't do both. I am from New Orleans and have had my share of gumbo, believe you-me! This one is the best!
Provided by Penny Stettinius
Categories Gumbo
Time 5h
Yield 16-18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Crack the turkey carcass into several pieces.
- Place the turkey carcass and legs into a large soup kettle with 3 qts of water and 1 tsp salt.
- Boil for one hour.
- Remove the carcass and legs and cool.
- Remove the meat from the bones and discard the bones.
- Reserve the stock and the meat.
- In a heavy Dutch pven over medium heat, heat the grease and the oil.
- Add the flour, stirring constantly, and cook until it turns a deep, mahogany brown.
- Add the celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and parsley.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the okra and sausage and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
- Add 2 qts of water, 2 qts turkey stock Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, tomatoes, salt, bacon, bay leaves, and cayenne.
- Simmer, covered, for 2.5-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add the turkey meat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, add the brown sugar and lemon juice.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and avoid any mishaps.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better your gumbo will be. Look for fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat.
- Don't overcook the seafood: Seafood cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Otherwise, it will become tough and rubbery.
- Let the gumbo simmer for a while: Simmering allows the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer the gumbo, the better it will be.
- Serve the gumbo with rice: Gumbo is traditionally served with rice. This helps to soak up the delicious broth and makes the dish more filling.
Conclusion:
Authentic gumbo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, gumbo is sure to become a favorite in your household. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give gumbo a try. You won't be disappointed!
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