Okra Freezer Gumbo Starter Food

OKRA FREEZER GUMBO STARTER

Steps:

• Rinse okra well. Let dry completely. Slice into 1/2 inch rounds, discarding the stem portion. Dice and chop remaining vegetables.
• Place all ingredients in a roasting pan and cook covered at 300 degrees.
• After one hour uncover and stir. Recover and cook another hour.
• Cool completely and spoon into 4 one pint freezer containers.

OKRA SHRIMP GUMBO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the stock and keep warm.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add the oil and onions and saute, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add a little hot stock if needed to avoid burning and to keep the onions soft.
• Add the salted pork and ham and cook for 10 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, bell pepper and 1 cup stock and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the mild and hot smoked sausages and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining stock and the Slow Cooker Smothered Okra and cook until thickened slightly, 15 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, parsley and green onions and add salt and red pepper to taste. Cook another 5 to 8 minutes, then turn off the heat and stir in the crab.
• Combine the okra and oil in a slow cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on high until tender, 3 to 4 hours. Stores well in ziptop bags in the freezer.

SLOW-COOKER FREEZER-PACK GUMBO

Steps:

• Layer the chicken, sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, okra, rice, and Cajun seasoning into a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the diced tomatoes over the ingredients in the bag. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Squeeze out the air from the bag and seal. Freeze until ready to use, up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before cooking.
• Pour the contents of the bag into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 cup water. Cook on low until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld, 6 to 8 hours. Season with salt. Serve with hot sauce and bread.

OKRA-RICE GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onions and celery and sauté over low heat until the onions are golden.
• Add the water and all the remaining ingredients except the salt and pepper. Enough red pepper flakes or cayenne should be used to give the soup a distinct bite, but use your discretion. Bring to a simmer, then simmer gently, covered, stirring occasionally, for about an hour, or until the rice is cooked and the vegetables are tender.
• Discard the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper. Serve at once, or if time allows, let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or so, then heat through before serving. The soup will thicken considerably as it stands. Add more water as needed and adjust the seasonings, but let it remain very thick.
• Nutrition Information
• Per serving:
• Calories: 153
• Total fat: 5g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 5g
• Carbohydrate: 25g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 28mg

OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, onion, and green bell pepper, and saute until tender. Stir in okra, mushrooms, diced tomatoes and their liquid, tomato paste, file powder, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stirring constantly, add flour, and cook 2 to 5 minutes, until a golden brown roux has formed.
• Spoon the roux into the okra mixture, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes, until thickened.