Robins Faux Gumbo Spicy Food

THE BEST SPICY WEEKEND GUMBO + BROWN RICE

Steps:

• VEGETABLES: Heat the oil in a big, deep pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, hot peppers, mirepoix, and vegetables. Saute for 10 minutes or so until it's all soft and fragrant.
• BASE: Add the tomatoes, broth, and spices. Bring to a low boil; reduce heat and simmer for an hour or so for the best flavor.
• ROUX: Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and let it all bubble in the pan for a few minutes. Add the milk or broth a little bit at a time, whisking to incorporate it and make it smooth. Season with salt.
• FINISH: Add the roux to the gumbo pot and stir to combine. Simmer for a little longer over low heat or just let it all hang out for a while to help the flavor develop. Stir in the sausage and raw shrimp. When shrimp is pink (fully cooked), stir in a handful of chives and serve over brown rice, red quinoa, white rice, or just by itself. It's that good. Remember: make sure to season with salt! This will vary per individual recipe based on your cajun seasoning mix.

FUMBO (FAUX-GUMBO)

Steps:

• Saute onion, peppers and celery for 3 minutes.
• Add garlic and sautee 1 more minute.
• Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth and potatoes. Stir, bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add chicken, rice, cayenne pepper (the amount you use depends on your family's tolerance for spicy food - I usually give about 4 dashes), salt & pepper and sugar.
• Let cook for another 20-30 minutes to bring flavors together. Enjoy!

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN GUMBO

Steps:

• In a slow-cooker, combine the chicken and all remaining ingredients except the rice. Mix well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Serve over rice.

SPICY SEAFOOD GUMBO

Steps:

• Add the oil and flour to a cast-iron skillet; stir to combine.
• Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is the color of chocolate (be careful not to burn).
• Add in onions, celery, and garlic; cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Transfer mixture to a large pot.
• Add in chicken broth and the next 12 ingredients; let simmer for 2 hours; stir occasionally.
• Peel and devein shrimp.
• Add in the shrimp, oysters, crabmeat, and fish to the pot; simmer for 10-15 minutes or until seafood is done.
• Take out bay leaves.
• Serve over hot cooked rice.
• Sprinkle with file if desired.

SPICY GUMBO

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups oil and 1 3/4 cups flour in a heavy skillet or pan over low heat.
• Stir constantly until the flour thickens and turns light brown.
• Add more flour if needed to absorb oil and make a smooth paste.
• It takes approximately 15 minutes or so, but be careful to not burn the flour.
• Set the roux aside.
• Mix together all spices in a bowl and set aside.
• In a large 12 quart pot, sauté onions, garlic, bell pepper and celery in 3 tbsp olive oil.
• Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes.
• Add the chicken, shrimp, cat fish and okra (and sausage if desired).
• Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes.
• Add the peppers, tomatoes, seasonings, chicken stock, V-8 and clam juice.
• Simmer, uncovered for approximately 1 hour.
• With a wire whisk, slowly incorporate the roux into the mixture to desired consistency.
• Add more chicken stock if necessary.
• Add the rest of the seafood to the mixture.
• Turn down heat, cover and simmer on low for about 10 minutes.
• In a shallow bowl, mound 1/2 cup rice and ladle the gumbo on top.
• Serve with oyster crackers and a dash of Tabasco sauce.