Gulf Coast Gumbo Recipes

ULTIMATE GULF COAST GUMBO

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp and place in the refrigerator. Place shrimp heads and shells in a large pot, and cover with 2 quarts of water. Cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until liquid is reduced by half. Strain out and discard shrimp heads and shells. Reserve shrimp broth.
• Heat oil in a very large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a long-handled spoon. Cook and stir for several minutes until dark brown and flour is puffing and absorbing the oil. Slowly stir in chicken broth and an equal amount of water. Place chicken in the pot. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, Old Bay seasoning, and salt. Boil until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove chicken from the pot, and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard bones, and chop chicken into 1 inch pieces.
• Return chicken back to the pot, along with reserved shrimp broth, crab meat, sausage, and shrimp. Add the file powder, and stir from the bottom of the pot. When the gumbo comes to a boil, remove from heat. Continue to stir from the bottom for 1 minute. Serve.

GULF COAST SHRIMP GUMBO

Steps:

• Make a roux-heat 4 tablespoons oil in a medium, heavy skillet set over medium heat.
• When hot, add flour and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens and turns a deep reddish brown, 6-8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Add 2 tablespoons oil to a large heavy, deep sided pot set over med-high heat.
• When hot, add in onion, celery, carrot, and red bell pepper.
• Saute, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.
• Add in garlic and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• Stir in cayenne, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Add stock, tomatoes, parsley, and bay leaves; bring mixture to a simmer.
• Decrease heat to low so that mixture stays at a simmer, then whisk in the roux.
• Simmer gumbo until vegetables are tender and mixture has thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over med-high heat.
• When hot, add the okra and saute, stirring, until just lightly browned around the edges, 4-5 minutes.
• Add okra and sausage to the gumbo after it has simmered 20 minutes.
• Cook 1 minute to heat through.
• When ready to serve, add shrimp to the gumbo and cook until the shrimp curl and turn pink, about 3 minutes (do not overcook the shrimp).
• Taste gumbo and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
• If gumbo is too thick, thin it with extra stock to desired consistency.
• To serve, place about 2/3 cup rice in 6 shallow soup bowls and ladle gumbo over rice.