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??

Be Sociable, Share!

•