Gumbo is a Cajun stew almost always containing a dark roux and thickened with okra. In case you don't know Gumbo means okra. Gumbo usually contains a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, or shellfish and is served over rice. Most Cajun's agree that the secret to a good gumbo is the roux, a mixture of flour and oil and the foundation of a great gumbo.

Some insist that the roux must be cooked in a iron pot for the proper flavor but the iron pot will darken okra so most people use other types of pots or pans to cook in. What ever you use to make your roux in cook it over low heat and stir it constantly. Cook it until its the color of a dirty copper penny.

Ask five Cajuns which kind of meat or fish should go in Gumbo and you most likely will get five different answers. They will often opt for different combinations of shrimp, crab-meat, oysters, and fish while others have found that ham, sausage, or chicken can enhance the flavor. Which seasonings can also stir up great controversy.

Okra gives the gumbo a rich, earthy flavor and thickens the gumbo as it cooks. And below is my recipe for the best gumbo you will ever eat. Many people who have tried my gumbo say that it truly is the worlds best gumbo. I invite you to try the recipe and let me know what you think of what I call, " The Worlds Best Gumbo Recipe ".

You will need.

1 Cup Of Vegetable Oil

1 Cup Of All Purpose Flour ( Plain Flour )

4 Onions Chopped Fine

4 Celery Ribs Chopped Fine

2 Tablespoons Raw Fresh Ground Garlic

4 Cans Sweet Sue Chicken Broth

2 28 oz. Cans Whole Tomatoes Chopped

2 Packages Frozen Chopped Okra Thawed

1 Pound Of Crab Claws

4 Bay Leafs

1/4 Cup Worcestershire Sauce

2 Pounds Of Peeled De-veined Shrimp

2 Pints of Fresh Oysters

1 Pound Of Crab-meat

4 Pound of Chicken Breast Cut Into Small Cubes

1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper

2 Teaspoons Basil

2 Teaspoons Oregano

2 Teaspoons Sage

2 Teaspoons Thyme

Hot Cooked Buttered White Rice

Combine oil and flour in a skillet and cook over low heat stirring constantly until your roux is the color of a dirty copper penny. Stir in onion, celery, and garlic and cook 10 minutes stirring constantly. Transfer mixture to a dutch oven. Ass chicken broth and the rest of your ingredients and cook over medium heat for the next two hours. Add chicken broth not water if it seems to get to thick.

Discard the bay leafs and serve over white buttered rice. If you have a favorite seafood or meat feel free to add it to the gumbo recipe. Some people like to add a small can of tomato paste in the last hour of cooking. I guarantee you that this recipe will make the best Gumbo you will ever eat. Use extra care with your roux. Cook it over low heat and stir it constantly. Once you get the roux part down making Gumbo will be the easiest thing you will ever do and I guarantee you that your family and friends will thank you for it.

Please feel free to post a comment below and let us know what you think about Gumbo. If you make the Gumbo recipe post a comment and let us know what you think of the worlds best Gumbo recipe.

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