Donald's Gumbo recipe

[SherryB]

Just gotta keep posting about Donald's gumbo recipe so it's got an updated thread... it's just that good and it's just so quick to make a batch if you've got the roux already made up.   Using the roux mixed up from his instructions (and leftover from my first batch), I made this again substituting some thicker pieces of fish for the chicken near the end of cooking the gumbo.  Yummeeee! 

[Paul5388]

After watching the videos, I just wondered how it's gumbo without okra in it. 

[thebayougardener]

Okra is optional, not always used in Gumbo.

Donald

[Paul5388]

Yes, I see where that is the case, not always being included.  However, this is what was coloring my question: "okra is how gumbo got is current name as the word gumbo comes for the West African word for okra." (I copied that from a Cajun )

[LSU2001]

You can make a pretty good roux without oil if you need to watch your fat intake.  You simply brown the flour very slowly and watch it closely.  When you are ready to add liquid make sure your liquid is very hot and you are stirring vigorously.  Once the roux "breaks" you can proceed as normal.
Tim
LINK: http://www.jfolse.com/recipe_week/recipe0108/wafb_011508oiless.html

[southernstyle]

At the restaurant I work at "the bourbon street grille" heres what we do for red beans..

Saute' trinity in olive oil until peppers, onions and celery are tender. Add a bit of flour to form a roux then add red beans and enough water to make the concoction into a thin gravy. Salt and pepper to taste, we also add liquid smoke to replace the smoked ham flavor.

This version is not typical as it is more of a gravy with red beans but really goes wonderful over white rice and is a meal in itself.

[SherryB]

Okay.  It'll be gumbo or red beans and rice this week.  You got me hungry now...