The Hungry Apple

It is going to cool off in Tennessee this weekend and you need something to keep you warm.

Invite a crowd because we’re making a big pot of gumbo

If you find yourself with a little time on your hands then this gumbo is for you.

It takes about 3 hours from start to finish but there is lots of down time in between steps. It’s a good game day recipe and can be made the day before. It is also a good recipe to make when you HAVE to be at home because you are say, auto cleaning your oven or something exciting like that.

Gone are the days of seafood gumbo, sausage or chicken gumbo. This hearty stew has all 3!

Holy Trinity and then some.

At one or more stages of this dish you may wonder if you are doing this right. Forge ahead. It’s going to turn out just fine.

Adapted from Paula Deen

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups rotisserie chicken breast

1 tablespoon canola or olive oil

1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, cut into 1/4-inch slices (i use turkey smoked sausage)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

5 tablespoons margarine

1 large onion, diced

6 cloves garlic minced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1/4 cup reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce

1/4 bunch flat leaf parsley coarsely chopped

4 cups warm water or vegetable stock

1 Tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce, plus more for serving

5 beef bouillon cubes

1 14 oz can of petite diced tomatoes

1 16oz bag frozen sliced okra (remove caps, if there are any)

4 green onions, sliced, white and green parts

1/2 pound 31/40 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Instructions and Directions: 

Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or pot on medium heat. Add slices of sausage, cook until browned and remove.

Sprinkle the flour over the oil, add 2 tablespoons of butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until brown, about 20 minutes. Cook longer for darker roux. Let the roux cool.

Turn the heat to medium low and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and celery. Cook for 20 minutes. Add Worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste and half the parsley. Cook for 10 more minutes.

Add the 4 cups of water (or stock)  and the bouillon cubes. Stir constantly. This is the step that will help break up the bits of goodness on the bottom of the pan.

Add the pulled chicken and sausage to the pot. While stirring, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour.

Add the tomatoes, hot sauce and the okra. Stir, cover and simmer for 1 hour. (stop at this step, if making the day before)

Just before serving, add the green onions, remaining parsley and shrimp. Simmer 5 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through.

Serve with white rice that has been cooked in vegetable or chicken broth rather than water 🙂