Vietnamese-style Gumbo

Ingredients

While the original American Gumbo typically features ingredients like okra, sausage, and seafood, this Vietnamese adaptation incorporates Vietnamese herbs and spices such as lemongrass, star anise, and fish sauce. The flavors are lighter and fresher, with a focus on aromatic ingredients that are commonly found in Vietnamese cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Gumbo, so you can check it out.

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
• 1 teaspoon (5g) ground turmeric 1 teaspoon (5g) ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon (5g) ground coriander 1 teaspoon (5g) ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon (5g) ground cumin 1 teaspoon (5g) ground cumin
• 1 star anise 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1 cup (240ml) diced tomatoes 1 cup (240ml) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced bell peppers 1 cup (240ml) sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced mushrooms 1 cup (240ml) sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced carrots 1 cup (240ml) sliced carrots
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced zucchini 1 cup (240ml) sliced zucchini
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced bok choy 1 cup (240ml) sliced bok choy
• 1 cup (240ml) sliced tofu 1 cup (240ml) sliced tofu
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) fish sauce 2 tablespoons (30ml) fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lime juice 1 tablespoon (15ml) lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro and Thai basil for garnish Fresh cilantro and Thai basil for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 10g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the bruised lemongrass, ground turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the pot. Stir well to coat the onions and garlic with the spices.
3. 3.
   Pour in the vegetable broth, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, bok choy, and tofu. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. 5.
   Stir in the fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Remove the lemongrass, star anise, and cinnamon stick from the pot before serving.
7. 7.
   Ladle the Vietnamese-style Gumbo into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and Thai basil.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Bruise the lemongrass stalk by lightly pounding it with a rolling pin or the back of a knife to release its flavor.
• Thai basil — Use Thai basil instead of regular basil for its distinct aroma and flavor.
• Tofu — Press the tofu to remove excess moisture before slicing it. This will help it absorb the flavors of the dish better.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a sliced chili pepper or a dash of chili flakes.
• Serve the Vietnamese-style Gumbo with a side of steamed rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.
• Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as bean sprouts or baby corn.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences by adding more fish sauce, soy sauce, or lime juice.
• Make a larger batch of the Gumbo and freeze the leftovers for future meals.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese-style Gumbo hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a plate of fresh bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced chili peppers for diners to customize their own flavors.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of Vietnamese-style Gumbo with a sprig of fresh cilantro and a few Thai basil leaves. The vibrant green herbs will add a pop of color to the dish and enhance its visual appeal.