Yes, any time is gumbo time, but right now, it’s gumbo time y’all! It’s cold and you just want something warm and comforting.
But let me guess, you’ve never made one and you’re apprehensive or you’re not sure about that roux thing. This is the perfect starting point for you. Despite what you may think or have heard, gumbo is not hard and it’s not tricky. It’s EASY! Easier than you think.
I start off with an oven roux. There’s no standing over the stove stirring and stirring and stirring. There’s no burning and starting over. The best part is that you can double the roux and freeze half of it to use for later. You can triple it if you want.
The next thing that makes gumbo super easy, if you have some quality chicken stock, is using a rotisserie chicken. You can just debone that thing and add some really great chicken stock. I find that if you use the silly Swanson boxed broth, it makes for a sad gumbo. There is a distinct lack of flavor. If I’m out of homemade stock, I just boil a chicken or chicken parts and use that stock, as in the recipe below.
I’m not going to waste too much of your time, I’m gonna let you get down to it, but I just have one thing to say about gumbo and what it is and isn’t. It’s whatever you want it to be. I don’t like okra in mine nor filé. But that’s just me. Just because you have that in your gumbo does not make it less of a gumbo. You don’t want to put sausage, you want to put Spam? (Not sure why!) Ok, it’s still a gumbo.
Not everyone has this attitude about gumbo and people are very passionate about this topic. I suggest you don’t bring it up in mixed company. 🙂
CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO
OVEN ROUX
4 ounces flour
4 ounces oil
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
I like to cook the roux in the cast iron pot I’m going to make the gumbo in. If you make it in a skillet, which is fine, you’ll have to move it after your veggies are wilted into your gumbo pot.
Place the vegetable oil and flour into a cast iron pot or skillet and whisk together to combine. Place on the middle shelf of the oven, uncovered, and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, whisking every 30 minutes throughout the cooking process. I like to take my roux to the edge of darkness, so I’ll leave it in closer to the 2 hour mark. If you choose to do that, in the last half hour you’ll want to stir every 15 minutes. If not, 1.5 hours is just fine.
See how easy that it?
While your roux is cooking get your veggies chopped up.
GUMBO INGREDIENTS
roux, as above
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 whole chicken or cut up
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 package sausage of your choice, smoked or Andouille, sliced or diced
8 cups of chicken stock
2 bay leaves
green onions tops, optional
1/4 bunch of parsley, chopped
cajun seasoning of your choice
salt
pepper
filé, optional
Kitchen Bouquet, optional
DIRECTIONS
Put the chicken in a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover and season with some salt and pepper. Boil for 1/2 hour or until cooked through and tender enough to debone. When done, remove and let cool so you can debone. You want medium, bite-size pieces.
For the roux, cook as above and when it comes out of the oven, over medium heat, add your onions and bell pepper to it and cook until wilted. Add sausage into the roux and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. Stir.
If you used a skillet to make your roux, move it over to the vessel you’re making your gumbo in, over medium heat. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves. Season with salt, pepper, and cajun seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken, parsley, and green onions if using, simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
There you have it. Serve with white rice or potato salad. If you’re set on using filé I would not add to the pot of gumbo. Just put it on the table and those who wish to add it can do so in their own bowl.
The Kitchen Bouquet…I’ve seen a lot of people say a lot of different things about it on the web. It is not a roux in a bottle. But it does help your roux with its color if you find you’re not satisfied. It’s not a reason to skimp on getting your roux dark though. That’s what’s gonna give your gumbo that authentic awesome flavor! But at the end of the fiasco, you find that you want your roux darker, go ahead and add a little bit at a time until you like the color. I don’t find I always do this, but sometimes I do, just a little more eye pleasing. Works in gravies, fricassee, jambalaya, or whatever you need to darken a bit.
FYI, if you want to add some shrimp to this, do it at the end in the last five minutes of cooking. The shrimp will turn opaque when done. Just make sure it’s wild Gulf shrimp!
If you want to watch me do this, I got you.
And this comes in super handy!
This poast partied at the Weekend Potluck.
looking for someone who has actually tried this recipe. And if you would add or delete anything..
You should give it a try! Even if you don’t make the gumbo, the oven roux is a great way to make a large amount of roux and then freeze for later to take the work out of gumbo or fricassee.
You’ve made it so simple! I love it – Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – hope your week is great!
This take the muss and fuss out of a roux. Set it, stir it a couple of times, go about your business. You can make a double or even triple batch at once and freeze what you don’t need for next time. Perfection.
Sounds so good. I am off to store to get what I need to make it tonight!
Thanks for linking at The Fabulous Party! I am featuring your post today on
my Happy Homemaker post!
The party starts again tomorrow. Bring something good to eat!
Enjoy Sherry! Thanks for the feature, can’t wait to check it out!
This looks delicious! My husband and I were just talking about trying to make gumbo, so I’m glad to get this recipe.
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Stoked to be featured Richella! You guys should dooo iit!
I can’t wait to try this! Thanks so much for sharing it last week on our Encouraging Hearts & Home blog hop.
pinned and stumbled so I can revisit when I’m making up next month’s menu.
Thanks for checking it out!
Thank you for sharing this over at #healthyliving link party. I shared the video on my page and pinned it too! Hope to see you again.
Ohhh this looks super yummy! I have never tried gumbo but would totally love this! Sim x
Never tried gumbo? You need gumbo in your life. Like now.
Oh be still my heart! I need a bowl of this asap!
Your Gumbo looks delicious, we will really enjoy it! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
This looks and sounds delicious! I like the way that you are very specific in your instructions. Leaves no doubt.
I stopped by to tell you that you are featured, along with several other bloggers, on my blog HERE: http://www.gwingal.com/2018/01/alabama-bloggers-you-should-be-following/ I ‘d love for you to stop by and see. Thanks for joining my group of Alabama bloggers.
🙂 gwingal
Thanks Gwingal! Can’t wait to meet some Alabama bloggers! I appreciate you putting that together. Have a great weekend!
Mmmmmm. I’m working on getting my kids to like bolder flavors like asian and cajun. And when they get there…I’m definitely trying this. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
No filé, say it isn’t so!!!! I was in Dallas last summer and it was hotter than a biscuit even with the air on. I toughed it out and made gumbo for my daughter. I’m intrigued by your method for making the roux and look forward to trying it. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story and we hope you will join us again next week.
Love this! And I love your site! I’m a hiker as well, and your words offer sheer enjoyment!
I’ve never made it before, but it looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing the recipe at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Thanks Teresa! I hope you give it a shot soon!
What a hearty winter’s meal! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
My husband just asked for gumbo, but I haven’t made it in a long time. I’ll be grabbing all the ingredients this week and making it this weekend. I hope it looks as good as yours 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
The oven roux makes it foolproof. If you guys want to add okra to it, I know some people dig that, slice it and bake it for 20 minutes then add it in.
Gumbo is such a popular dish. Your version sounds like a winner.
Looks yummy. Thanks for linking up at Friday Frenzy Link Party. PINNED!
Great looking dish, found you on Grandma’s Briefs Link Party
This sounds perfect on a cold day like today! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
This sounds amazing, and its a pity I’ve never had gumbo! At least I know how its made now. Thanks for sharing at FF!
I can’t remember when last I had gumbo, which is just wrong. Yours looks so delicious. We’re going to have to try make some real soon
That is just wrong. And truth be told, I know plenty of people who use a jarred roux for their gumbo and it comes out just fine. So if you can find some at your store, don’t be ashamed, you can use it and say you slaved over a stove for that deep color!
The gumbo looks delicious! And I love sausage!
This gumbo looks spectacular! Thanks for linking up to the Friday Frenzy!
Thanks Amy!
This looks and sound delicious I am going to add it to my Meal plan for next week
Nice!
Thanks Jaxx! I love gumbo, but I have always hated making the roux. Your oven roux recipe is incredibly easy and perfect every time.