Game Day Gumbo Recipes

VALERIE'S VERY BEST GUMBO

Steps:

• Warm 1 cup oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven until hot. Add the flour to the pot all at once, whisking until the consistency is uniform. Cook the roux, whisking occasionally, until it is the color of a tarnished penny, about 20 minutes. Do not let it darken any further. Carefully add the celery, bell peppers, onion, chopped scallions and garlic to the pot, working away from you as the hot roux may spatter. Stir with a wooden spoon until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add enough stock to just cover the vegetables, about 1 quart, and stir to combine. The roux may separate. Add the tomatoes with their juices, andouille and smoked sausages, cayenne, bay leaves, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper and the remaining stock, about 1 more quart. Partially cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the okra and cook, stirring, until the gel dries out slightly, about 3 minutes. Add to the Dutch oven.
• Taste the gumbo for seasoning and adjust as desired. Add the chicken, cook until warmed through and serve, or simmer up to 2 hours more to concentrate the flavors, adding the chicken 20 minutes before serving.
• Sprinkle with the reserved sliced scallions and serve over rice. Serve with hot sauce and file powder if using.

WILD GAME GUMBO

Steps:

• Add 2 quarts of water, chicken, and 1 1/2 teaspoon salt to a large pot.
• Bring to a boil; cover, lower heat, and simmer 1 hour or until chicken is tender.
• Take chicken from stock pot; chill broth, then remove fat from broth.
• Remove chicken meat from bones; chop into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• Add dove breasts and next 9 ingredients to a large pot; add water to cover.
• Bring to a boil; cover, lower heat, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Take meat out of broth; strain broth and set aside.
• Remove meat from bones and chop into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Transfer sausage to a paper-towel lined plate.
• Add bacon drippings to sausage drippings; heat over medium heat until hot.
• Add in flour; cook, stirring constantly until the color of caramel (about 20 mintes) (this is the roux).
• Add onion, celery, and pepper; cook/stir 10 minutes.
• Add roux to the chicken stock in a large pot; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add game meat, sausage, chicken, hot sauce, cayenne, and Worcestershire sauce; stir to combine.
• Add reserve game stock if more liquid is needed; simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours; stir occasionally.
• Remove bay leaf; serve over hot cooked rice.