Monday, February 15, 2010

Guest Post: Gumbo from Chef Ed


Let me introduce Ed to you a Professional Chef and Food Blogger living in Detroit, he has kindly shared a recipe for Gumbo as its Mardi Gras. I adore Gumbo one of my favorite dishes in the States. Be sure to visit his blog Detroit Eats

Enjoy....

One of my all time favorite things to cook is Gumbo. This soup/stew is a standard in the kitchens of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and one of the shining stars of American cuisine. Unfortunately, when prepared by Chefs north of the Mason-Dixon Line this dish can be a poor imitation of the genuine article Gumbo can be categorized several ways. Gumbo thickened with Okra, gumbo thickened with sassafras (file powdered) and Gumbo thickened with roux. The first (Gumbo thickened with Okra) had its origin in Africa, Gumbo with file (sassafras) was an adaptation from the Choctaw Indians and Gumbo thickened with roux came from the French traditions in Louisiana. Whichever version you enjoy it is clear that Gumbo was created to take advantage of whatever was at hand. There are Gumbos with Seafood, Gumbos with game meat and even a Lenten version containing no meat (Gumbo Z’Herbes). Pork sausage (usually Andouille) is often an ingredient as it is economical and readily available.

Many years ago I learned how to cook Gumbo from a famous New Orleans Chef (no..it wasn’t Emeril!). I have since developed my own recipe for this classic. I use Italian Sausage instead of Andouille and white meat chicken instead of dark just to keep it simple. Everything you need to make this dish is in your local supermarket.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil

12 oz Italian Sausage (cooked and slice into coins)

12 oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (cooked and cubed)

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

2 tsp garlic

2 tsp dry basil

1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning

2 cups chicken stock

Make a Roux by cooking your flour and oil until it turns a dark brown color. Stir constantly to avoid burning.*

Add your vegetables (onion, celery and bell pepper) to the roux. This will cool it down and cook your vegetables. Stir in the Garlic, basil and Cajun seasoning.

Add Stock and sausage and then simmer for about 45 minutes.

Add cubed chicken and simmer for 5 minutes more.

Serve over steamed white rice.

Remember to taste your Gumbo before serving and add more seasoning if you like. A couple of shake of Tabasco will spice things up!

* If little specks appear in your Roux before you get the right color you have burned your Roux. This can’t be fixed. You will need to start again.

“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez” Let the Good Times Roll

I also received an award from the very talented and sweet Sophie fro Sophies foodie Files from Belgium. Check out her blog for awesome healthy and scrumptious recipes





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24 comments:

  1. Love the gumbo! Gotta have those Tabasco shakes for sure. Congrats on the award!

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  2. That gumbo looks and sounds delicious - I love New Orleans style cuisine! I just made a Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya for Super Bowl Sunday with Praline Bananas Foster for dessert - yum:)Great blog!

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  3. This looks wonderul! A friend had a Mexican Gumbo for lunch. It didn't look nearly as hearty and delicious! Congratulations on your award!

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  4. I must try to make this for my husband which he loves chicken and sausage~~looks so delcious!

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  5. Nothing like a good gumbo--this looks delicious!

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  6. Never had gumbo....looks super comforting!

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  7. a good gumbo is complicated in its simplicity - this looks like a winner.

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  8. red kathy: thanks and will tell ED
    Stephanie: oh thanks great for superbowl
    motherrimmy: thanks will tell ED
    Anncoo: oh hope he likes it
    Deb: well said
    Angie: smiles
    Doggybloggy will pass it along

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  9. Never heard abt this dish,but sounds interesting ...and seems really good too...

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  10. Gumbo is definitely one of the tastiest foods out there! Perfect for Fat tuesday!

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  11. yum, gotta love gumbo on fat tuesday!

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  12. I was feeling sad this year we won't get to go out of town for a fun Mardis Gras. Now I'm inspired to make a big pot of gumbo and decorate the table any way! Thanks!

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  13. Oh wonderful, filled with grand ingredients gumbo!I don't make it enough. Delicious!

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  14. That looks fabulous...Great post..and Rebecca I happened to see your guest post in Ed's blog..good one :-)

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  15. Sounds yummy! I have always wanted to try gumbo.

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  16. Great gumbo Chef Ed. Perfect for Mardi Gras. Congratulations on your award Rebecca.
    Sam

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  17. Oh I was just on his blog. :) This looks fabulous. Congrats on the award, too!

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  18. Rebecca, thanks for sharing hte gumbo recipe, sure looks to tasty...love the spices in it! Congratulations on your award!

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  19. When I first had a chicken gumbo I felt bad, because I grew up on the original my mom made...so I know that bowl is full of goodness!

    Good for you Rebecca where do you find all these great people!

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  20. I can say gumbo is something I have never tried making (or have eaten!). I need to expand my horizons and make this. Sounds so good!

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  21. oooooooooh gumbo, have been searching for an easy gumbo recipe, never made one but looks delish.

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  22. Sushma: oh its an American classic lol
    Trix: will tell Ed
    Joanne: oh its perfect timing!
    Kris: smiles
    cheffrenee; oh what a great plan
    Claudia: will tell Ed
    Gulmohar: oh thats so cool
    Natashya: oh you should make it
    Sam: thanks
    Sook: cool
    Juliana: thanks
    Chef E: oh always on the lookout lol
    Nicole: oh you would love it

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  23. Let the good times roll indeed! That gumbo looks delicious. Love the addition of the sausage.

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