Killer Voodoo 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.

CREOLE GUMBO

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp. Place heads and shells in stockpot with 12 cups water, and simmer over low heat until needed.
• In a 6-quart stockpot, combine crabs, sausages, beef or stew meat and gizzards; cook, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, over low flame for 30 minutes.
• In a heavy-bottomed saute pan, whisk oil and flour together over low to moderate heat, and cook, whisking constantly until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Add onions, and cook, stirring, until soft. Pour mixture into pot with meats, and stir gently until well combined. Strain shrimp stock. Add to pot with enough water to make 14 cups liquid. Bring to a boil. Add chicken wings, smoked ham, paprika, garlic, thyme, bay leaves and salt, and simmer 30 minutes. Add peeled shrimp, and simmer 10 minutes. Add oysters, and turn off heat. Stir in file. Serve over rice, and garnish with fresh parsley.

KILLER VOODOO GUMBO

Steps:

• Roux: Place the vegetable oil and flour into a heavy oven-safe dish and whisk together to combine. Place on the middle shelf of the oven, uncovered, and bake for 90 minutes, whisking several times throughout the cooking process until roux is a red brick color and smells nutty.
• Cajun seasoning: Mix all spices in a mortar or coffee grinder and grind together thoroughly.
• Soup: Starting with chicken stock, add all ingredients (except shrimp) to a crock pot set to low. Cook for 4 hours on low stirring occasionally. Add shrimp and cook for about one additional hour until shrimp are pink and firm.

GULLAH GUMBO

Steps:

• Whisk together the oil and flour in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the roux is the color of peanut butter, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the celery, onion, bell pepper and tomatoes and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the gumbo file, House Seasoning, mace, garlic and bay leaves. Cook until fragrant, 1 more minute. Slowly pour in the chicken stock, seafood stock and 1 cup water, whisking until combined. Add the turkey wing.
• Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed, for 1 hour.
• Stir in the lima beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the gumbo is thickened, about 2 hours. Add the shrimp during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Remove the turkey wing. Chop the meat and return it to the gumbo. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the parsley and green onions. Serve with hot sauce.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

VEGETARIAN LOUISIANA GUMBO

Steps:

• To make Roux: In medium-sized, heavy-gauge saucepan, heat oil and garlic over medium heat, about 1 minute. Avoid browning garlic. Whisk in flour and increase heat to medium-high. Whisk continuously, and when paste begins to darken, add broth and Worcestershire sauce. Continue to whisk as roux thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• To make Gumbo: Spray 5-quart saucepan with nonstick cooking spray or wipe down with olive oil. Heat saucepan over medium-high heat and add garlic, onion, and pepper. Sauté 3 minutes, and add okra. Cook 5 minutes, and add vegetarian links and seitan. Cook mixture 8 minutes, stirring often. Add sherry.
• Add ¾ cup broth to pan. Place tomatoes in food processor, and pulse to chop coarsely. Add tomatoes to broth. Whisk remaining ¼ cup broth into roux, and stir mixture into gumbo. Add thyme, coriander, and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and serve.