Soulful Gumbo

Ingredients

While the original American Gumbo is already a delicious dish, the soul food adaptation adds a touch of soulful flair. The soul food version of Gumbo often incorporates more spices and herbs, such as thyme, oregano, and paprika, to enhance the flavors. Additionally, soul food Gumbo may include ingredients like smoked turkey, collard greens, and okra, which are commonly found in soul food cooking. We alse have the original recipe for Gumbo, so you can check it out.

• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large onion, diced 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound (450g) smoked turkey, diced 1 pound (450g) smoked turkey, diced
• 1 pound (450g) andouille sausage, sliced 1 pound (450g) andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 can (14oz/400g) diced tomatoes 1 can (14oz/400g) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240ml) seafood stock 1 cup (240ml) seafood stock
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound (450g) crab meat 1 pound (450g) crab meat
• 1 cup (160g) okra, sliced 1 cup (160g) okra, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice, for serving Cooked rice, for serving
• Chopped green onions, for garnish Chopped green onions, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 25g (Saturated Fat: 7g)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (Sugars: 5g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously to make a roux. Cook the roux until it turns a dark brown color, about 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
2. 2.
   Add the diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Stir in the smoked turkey and andouille sausage, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, seafood stock, bay leaf, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5.
   Add the shrimp, crab meat, and sliced okra to the pot. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and the okra is tender.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the soulful Gumbo over cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Smoked turkey — Use a good quality smoked turkey for maximum flavor.
• Andouille sausage — Look for authentic andouille sausage for an authentic soul food taste.
• Okra — If you prefer a thicker Gumbo, you can slice the okra into smaller pieces or even use frozen okra.

Tips & Tricks

• To deepen the flavor of the Gumbo, let it simmer for a longer time, up to 2 hours.
• If you prefer a spicier Gumbo, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to taste.
• Serve the Gumbo with a side of cornbread for a complete soul food experience.
• Leftover Gumbo tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together.
• Feel free to customize the Gumbo by adding other seafood like crawfish or mussels.

Serving advice

Serve the soulful Gumbo in large bowls over a bed of cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of freshness. Provide hot sauce on the side for those who prefer an extra kick of heat. Serve with a side of cornbread to complete the soul food feast.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, ladle the Gumbo into bowls, making sure to include a generous amount of shrimp, crab meat, and okra in each serving. Sprinkle the chopped green onions on top for a vibrant touch of color. Serve the Gumbo alongside a slice of golden-brown cornbread for a visually pleasing and delicious meal.