Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

Hey Jude's Note:

I know, another gumbo recipe....This one is from 'Plantation Celebrations', the cookbook I received from the best swap partner ever, Luby, in the latest swap. The addition of the shrimp was my idea. I really liked this recipe because there weren't a lot of spicy spices in it...I like the spiciness but my husband does not. It was easy enough for me to add Tabasco to my own portion while at the table. I used smoked turkey sausage in this.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 lb smoked sausage or 1 lb andouille sausage
• 1 cup oil
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced garlic
• 3 quarts chicken stock
• 24 button mushrooms
• 2 cups sliced green onions
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped basil
• salt
• cracked pepper, to taste
• Tabasco sauce or hot sauce, to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (1 lb) package frozen cooked shrimp
• 4 cups cooked white rice

Directions:

1. *Removeas much fat from the chicken as possible; cut smoked sausage or andouille into half inch slices and set aside.
2. In a two gallon stock pot, heat oil over medium heat; sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly until a golden brown roux is achieved; DO NOT scorch; if black specks appear, discard it and start again.
3. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic; saute 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted; add chicken and sausage, blending well into vegetable mixture; saute approximately fifteen minutes.
4. Add chicken stock, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until all is incorporated; bring to a rolling boil, reduce to simmer and cook approximately one hour, stirring occasionally and skimming any fat or oil that rises to the top of the pot.
5. Add mushrooms, green onions, bay leaf, thyme and basil; season to taste with salt, pepper and Tabasco.
6. Cook an additional one to two hours if necessary, until chicken is tender and falling apart; add parsley and shrimp; cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until shrimp is hot; adjust seasonings and serve over hot steamed white rice.
7. Pass additional Tabasco at the table, to taste.
8. *Youmay want to boil the chicken a couple of hours before beginning the gumbo.
9. Reserve the stock, debone the chicken and use the meat and the stock in the gumbo.

Reviews

[Chef #846256]

The generally accepted way to make a cajun chicken & sausage gumbo would be to cook the roux (oil & flour) for as long as possible until it is at least dark brown. This is where it gets most of its flavor.

[Karisa]

I made this last summer and my whole family loved it. I've been really excited to make it again and so have they. Its so easy to make, even when you don't have experience, and you can substitute items. Definitely something to make over and over again!

[Baby Kato]

We enjoyed this very much...a big thumbs up from the whole family....I'd never tried gumbo before and wasn't sure what to expect..IT WAS WONDERFUL! Tasted great and was very easy to make, we will certainly be having this dish again. The flavour of the gumbo is outstanding, thanks so much for sharing.