**Gumbo: A Flavorful Journey Through Louisiana's Culinary Heritage**
In the heart of Louisiana, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico, lies a culinary treasure that embodies the state's rich history and diverse cultural influences: gumbo. This iconic stew is a symphony of flavors, a melting pot of ingredients that come together to create a hearty, satisfying dish that is as unique as the state itself. From the soulful Creole gumbo, with its dark roux and abundance of seafood, to the rustic Cajun gumbo, with its lighter roux and focus on chicken and sausage, each variation of this beloved dish tells a story of Louisiana's past and present. This article presents a collection of quick and easy gumbo recipes that capture the essence of this Louisiana classic, making it accessible to home cooks of all levels. Whether you prefer a seafood extravaganza or a savory chicken and sausage delight, these recipes offer a taste of Louisiana's culinary heritage that is sure to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of New Orleans.
QUICK AND EASY SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN GUMBO
This quick and easy gumbo is a hearty and filling meal that is great anytime! The frozen vegetables speed up the cooking process and you can add additional protein and spices to suit your taste.
Provided by Tuscan_Italian
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Gumbo Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Combine flour and oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until it forms a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the flour turns dark golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. The darker the roux, the more depth of flavor, but don't burn it.
- Add onions, bell peppers, okra, celery, garlic, Creole seasoning, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender, 3 to 6 minutes.
- While vegetables are cooking, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add unopened bag of rice and boil, uncovered, until rice is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove bag from water and drain. Cut open bag, pour rice into a bowl, and fluff.
- Stir chicken, kielbasa, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth into the cooked vegetables. Cook until thoroughly heated, about 10 minutes. Serve gumbo over warm rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 499.5 calories, Carbohydrate 35.1 g, Cholesterol 102.3 mg, Fat 23.8 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 33.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 1800.3 mg, Sugar 2.7 g
QUICK 'N EASY GUMBO
Here's an easy recipe for nice gumbo that you can play with. I rarely follow recipes as I think cooking should be an adventure and I enjoy the surprise of each preparation's variations. But I like the shopping list aspect of this site, so I thought I'd plug this one in for myself. I suggest you take this list to the market and then see what's fresh and inspiring to you, like free range chicken or fresh shrimp or crab or shells and then just toss in liberal amounts. What's the worse that could happen? :)
Provided by Rob in Malibu
Categories Gumbo
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Pour a glass of nice red wine and have a drink.
- Put some Italian opera on the stereo and turn volume up.
- Start a big pot of rice, I prefer white rice to serve this gumbo over.
- Rice is on the top shelf to the right.
- Cut meat into nice bite-sized slices, keeping fingers clear of blade.
- Heat oil over medium heat in a big pot and slowly saute meat with garlic and onions.
- Try not to eat too much of the meat while you cook or allow family members to.
- Precooked meats like the pork will speed process.
- Uncooked meats like chicken or shrimp can be quickly boiled in chicken broth and tossed in later.
- Never under cook chicken.
- Saute until lightly browned.
- Add broth to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Lower heat to medium and then add all the other ingredients one at a time starting with firmer vegetables first (they need more cooking) and soft last.
- Toss in spices last.
- Cook over medium heat until all ingredients are blended and cooked to your liking.
- Not over cooked or too soft is how I like it.
- Maybe fifteen minutes tops.
- The longer you cook the more the flavors will blend, but I prefer separate identifiable flavors so I cook less.
- Now taste your results being careful not to burn your tongue no matter how hungry you are.
- You're going to need that tongue later.
- Add ingredients according to your liking.
- I like to toss in some of the wine I'm drinking and I always add more garlic and salt and pepper to taste.
- Don't make it too spicy or your wife will not enjoy it.
- Serve over rice in big bowls.
- Put salt and pepper and Tabasco on the table for others to adjust flavors to their liking.
- You can now add more Tabasco to your own bowl and give your wife a wink.
- Turn off the TV and try talking to each other for a change.
- Finish the bottle of wine and go for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner to aid digestion.
- Enjoy!
QUICK SHRIMP GUMBO
This hearty dish is one of our favorites. I've made it with all shrimp or with all turkey sausage, and it's just as good. I usually cook it in the microwave. -Mrs. Leo Merchant of Jackson, Mississippi
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in sausage; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sausage begins to brown. Add green pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in the tomatoes, broth, seasonings and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. , Cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes or until heated through. Stir in shrimp. Cook 3-4 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in rice. Remove from the heat. , Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Discard bay leaf. Serve with lemon slices if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 246 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 146mg cholesterol, Sodium 1211mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and measured out. Gumbo is a quick-cooking dish, so you don't want to be scrambling to find ingredients while you're cooking.
- Use a Dutch oven or large pot: Gumbo is a big dish, so you'll need a large pot to cook it in. A Dutch oven is ideal because it distributes heat evenly and can withstand high temperatures.
- Don't overcrowd the pot: When you add the vegetables and meat to the pot, make sure not to overcrowd it. Otherwise, the vegetables will steam instead of brown.
- Cook the roux slowly: The roux is the base of the gumbo, so it's important to cook it slowly and carefully. Cook the roux over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a dark chocolate color.
- Add the okra last: Okra is a slimy vegetable, so it's important to add it to the gumbo last. Otherwise, the gumbo will be too slimy.
- Season to taste: Gumbo is a flavorful dish, so don't be afraid to season it to taste. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
Conclusion:
Gumbo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken or sausage, and it's also a great dish to serve at a party or potluck. With a little planning and effort, you can make a delicious gumbo that will impress your family and friends.
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