Crock Pot Gumbo

I love Gumbo and I love my crock pot. I decided to see if I could make a good version utilizing the crock pot so I could do other things while it was cooking. This version passed the spouse test! Feel free to experiment with your seasonings - especially the crushed red pepper. Add some cayenne if you like it hotter. Just remember...you can always add more, but it's hard to make it less spicy if you over-do it. If you don't do shellfish, just omit it and add more chicken and sausage. To save a little time, get your water boiling for the chicken breast and cook it while you are stirring the roux.

• Ready In: 6 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 1  lb  frozen mixed vegetables, gumbo mix (should include celery, onion, bell pepper, corn and okra)
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can  oysters
• 1  large boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1⁄2 lb crawfish tail meat
• 1⁄2 lb shrimp, shells removed
• 3  ounces andouille sausages, cut into bite size pieces
• 2  chicken bouillon cubes
• 2  bay leaves
• 4  cups water
•  salt, to taste
•  pepper, to taste
•  seasoning salt (Spike, Old Bay, etc.) (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2  tablespoons dried parsley
• 1  bunch green onion, chopped
•  crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Directions

1. Put the tomatoes and frozen vegetables in the crock pot on high heat.
2. Make a roux by melting the butter and flour in a large skillet and stir constantly until roux is a light caramel color (about 20 minutes) on medium heat - do not burn the roux! Lower heat is better, but will take longer. Add the cooked roux to the crock pot.
3. Add the bouillon cubes, water, crushed red pepper and bay leaves.
4. Boil the chicken breast in a pot of water on the stove until no pink remains, let cool and then shred the meat by hand and add to the crock pot.
5. Add the andouille sausage and let everything cook on high for about 4-5 hours.
6. About 45 minutes before you want to eat, add all the seafood to the pot and season to taste with salt, pepper, herbs and your favorite seasoning blend(s). Serve over hot, cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onion. Hot pepper sauce and gumbo file seasoning are optional and should be added to each bowl by the person who will be eating it.