Make it Yourself Monday - Gumbo!

For the last several weeks, I have been thinking about making a big pot of gumbo. It has been over a year since I've made a pot, and I had a real hankerin' for some! Well, when I make gumbo, it makes a LOT of gumbo! So I decided to invite friends over to share supper with us! It was a really fun evening, and we all ended the night STUFFED!

A few people mentioned that they would like my recipe, so I thought I'd share it here for everyone. This is my grandmother's recipe, and it is a true Louisiana dish! It doesn't even compare to gumbo served at a restaurant, if you can even find it on a menu. So give it a try. And remember, it makes a HUGE pot, so plan to invite company!

Chicken and Seafood Gumbo

1 large chicken, cooked and deboned

1 can crab meat

1 pkg. shrimp

1 lb. sausage, cut in chunks

2 cups chopped onion

2 cups chopped green peppers

2 cups chopped celery

4 cloves garlic or garlic salt

2 cans okra

2 large cans tomatoes

2 Tbsp. crab boil (opt.)

2-3 Tbs. gumbo file

2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

5-6 bay leaves

Black pepper, cayenne, and salt to taste

Roux:

1 cup flour

1 cup oil

Place chicken in large pot and cover with water to boil. Add salt and black pepper. If garlic salt is used, it can also be added to chicken. Cook until done enough to debone. Save the broth. Cool chicken, debone, and set aside. 

Saute onions, green peppers, celery, green onions, and garlic (if used), and set aside. 

Make roux with flour and oil. Cook it in a skillet, stirring constantly, until nice and brown. This is where the color comes for your gumbo! Add roux to hot broth and be sure lumps are beaten smooth. 

Place everything in a large pot and simmer together for 1-2 hours. Your taste may vary, so add or take away any seasoning or meat to suit your taste. 

To vary your gumbo, try these different mixes:

Plain chicken gumbo

Chicken and seafood gumbo

Chicken and smoked sausage gumbo

Rabbit gumbo

Any other meat or meat combinations

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does! And don't forget, if you want to get in on the fun of "Make it Yourself Monday," simply leave me a comment on my blog, be sure to leave a link back to your blog showing what you made yourself, and post a link back to my blog. I would love to see some things you make yourself instead of heading out to the store or restaurant to buy!