After reigniting my love for okra, I decided it was time for a cold-weather dish that was chock full of the good, green stuff!
Enter…
Seafood Gumbo
I don’t know how many things you have to change to make a recipe “yours”, but my version in loosely based on Paula Dean’s seafood gumbo (so you KNOW it’s gotta be good!) However between ingredients I forgot (scallops), ingredients I already accidently ate (celery) and ingredients I didn’t care to include… or didn’t recognize (chicken base, file powder, oysters, etc), it’s very loosely based on the queen of southern cooking’s recipe.
This recipe is perfect for a fall or winter night. It will warm your insides right up and having Hubbs asking for seconds… and thirds! 🙂
First, gather your ingredients.
yes, one Hubbs bringing you a glass of vino is an essential ingredient. Don’t forget that step!
You’ll also need:
- 1/4 cup oil
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/3 cup dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups sliced Cajun-style sausage
- 4 cups cut okra (fresh or frozen)
- 1 big can of crabmeat
- 24 oz fresh or frozen peeled shrimp
It sounds like a lot, but the majority of it is spices, so it really isn’t bad. PLUS it makes the BIGGEST pot of gumbo, so make sure you have a huge pot and a lot of hungry mouths to feed.
Step one: Pour oil and flour into a large pot over medium heat. Stir constantly until the roux has turned into a light chocolate brown color.
I don’t think I waited until it was quite chocolate brown, but I was hungry, so I sped up the process 🙂
Add in your garlic, onion and green pepper
Stir it all together and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Say “c’est la vie” when Hubbs makes fun of you for cooking on a chair.
Slowly add chicken broth while continuing to stir constantly. Since I lack 3 hands, I poured and snapped a picture, then returned to stirring.
Then add your 3 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/3 cup dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and 1 can diced tomatoes.
Cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces and add it to the pot with your okra (!!!).
I believe I used closer to 6 cups of okra. I love the stuff.
Stir it all up, then cover, and let simmer for 1-1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Like I said before, I was hungry. So mine simmered for about 45 minutes while I sipped on my wine!
After simmering, add your shrimp and crabmeat.
Stir it all together and let simmer for another 15 minutes.
Then… serve!! Some like to serve this over rice, but I prefer to eat it like a soup 🙂
Oh my YUM it’s so good!!
What’s your favorite fall/winter meal??
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Wow! That’s one of those meals that I thought was insanely difficult to make and I can’t believe its so easy (or rather, you make it look easy!).
I have to say beef stew is my favorite fall meal. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Wow that looks awesome!! I think I’ll have to make something like that this fall/winter! John will love it!
John J. says
Mmmmmmm… ! Are you bringing some to the Lake when you visit?
Kristin says
Mmm, I love gumbo! I still make a variation of the recipe I got from your mom, minus the file powder (I don’t know what it is or where to find it either), and the, um, okra (sorry!). Now you’ve got me craving a batch. I love the idea of adding the sausage, but I’ll need to see if I can find a chicken or turkey variety, since hubby won’t eat pork.
Sherry says
I got the recipe out for seafood gumbo this morning!! I was going to make it for Friday night. Guess I’ll reconsider.
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
I’m not a big seafood person, but I’m sure your gumbo was delicious! My favorite fall meal is anything warm and comforting – baked squash, pumpkin bread, lasagna 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
I love squash and beef stew during the fall/winter. They are just so warm and comforting.
Nichole says
I can tell you right now, I don’t have the patience to cook this. Again, you win:)
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Looks good and I have a hard time believing that is a Paula Deen recipe — I didn’t see any BUTTER listed!
Favorite fall/winter meal: chili with cornbread 🙂
Pure2raw Twins says
You are such the chef 😉 Looks great. MY BF would love this gumbo! One favorite meal during the fall is roasted squahes! Can never go wrong, haha ~ lori
Melissa says
File’ (pronounced feelay) is what MAKES the gumbo down here in New Orleans so you will hear it called “file’ gumbo.” It adds such a great flavor and is usually added toward the end of cooking time or you can add it to your bowl to suit your own preference. It also makes the broth a thicker consistency rather than just a thin soupy, broth. My fav winter meal is Mom’s chicken and sausage file’ gumbo. It is comfort in a bowl for sure! Mmmmm, I am sure she’ll be making it for Thanksgiving! Well let’s hope so. 🙂
Simply Life says
oh what a great dish!
christen says
first off love love love the halloween costumes …how creative and adorable! second I love okra too!! your gumbo looks great although the hot tub part caught my attention the most can’t wait to come up there sometime when it’s snowing and drink wine and have great talks in the hot tub!!!
Katie @ peacebeme says
My favorite Fall/Winter recipe is my beef stew. It’s called “American Beef Stew” (who knows why) and is a family recipe. It is different than normal beef stew, it has a lot more flavor. I made it tonight, but no pics! I will make it again and put it up.