Kays Seafood Gumbo

KAY'S SEAFOOD GUMBO

Steps:

• Combine 2/3rds cup of vegetable oil with 2/3rds cup of flour in Dutch oven, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns a caramel color~ approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This is your Roux.
• Stir in the vegetables (bag of frozen vegetables, garlic and chopped fresh onion; cook an additional 40 minutes, stirring occasionally so the vegetables may not burn. (Toward the end of the 40 minute time, your vegetables and pasty roux will be be brown in color.) Also, add the uncooked bacon (cut in 1" pieces) 20 minutes into the vegetable cooking process. If using ham, add bite sized pieces of ham at the end of the 40 minute cooking process. After 40 minutes of cooking, at this stage, you may cool, package and either refrigerate or freeze for later use.
• Add chicken broth, water and seasonings (except for Tony Chacherie's and gumbo file and seafood) Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
• Peel and clean shrimp; add shrimp, chicken, crabmeat, and oysters, during the last 15 to 20 minutes of simmering period. (remove bay leaves) Add Tony Chacerie's to taste and gumbo file to taste during the last 15 to 20 minutes of simmering period also. Serves 18 to 24 *NOTE* Last Wednesday when I made this pot of gumbo, I spent a grand total of $55.00 which included a small hen and approximately 6 pounds of shrimp and 1 pound of crabmeat along with the 12 ounces of oysters. I fed 24 adults this savory dish along with a Caesar Salad, hot rice, french bread and a dessert. The total meal was approximately $80 dollars~ Not bad, eh? *TIP* Using 1 pound of pre-cooked, cleaned shrimp is ok, but fresh shrimp is what gives this dish its savory robust seafood flavor. Enjoy!

SEAFOOD GUMBO

Steps:

• Make the spice mix: Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined. Set aside 2 tablespoons to add to the gumbo and reserve the rest for another use in an airtight container.
• Make the gumbo: In a heavy 4- to 5-quart pot, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Once the butter begins to bubble slightly, add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula to form a smooth paste.
• Cook the mixture, stirring continuously, for 10 to 13 minutes to make a chocolate-colored roux. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot to avoid burning. It is important to keep a very close eye on the roux during this step. The roux can go from a nutty color and aroma to burnt beyond repair in a matter of minutes. Lower the heat as needed.
• Immediately add the onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper and tomatoes and stir well. The vegetables will stop the roux from overcooking and burning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to stick to the pan, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the dried shrimp, if using, tomato paste and 2 tablespoons spice mix and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
• While whisking, slowly add the stock and whisk until the stock is completely blended with the roux and vegetable mixture. Add the okra, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce and let simmer for 50 minutes over very low heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the lobster, crab, scallops and shrimp and simmer just until cooked through, about 10 minutes more.
• Season the gumbo to taste with salt and pepper and serve over rice.