Secrets of Gumbo
I like the idea of Gumbo, but I have had limited success in making it. . It seems to be a very varied dish and two recipes which call themselves gumbo can seem to have little in common.
So I am wondering what is Gumbo and what is the secret to making it good?
Best Answer
Gumbo is a creolized (blending of different cultures) dish that was really a way of making use of many whatever might be on hand. The word "Gumbo" itself comes from the African Bantu tribal language which uses the word "Ngambo" for okra. In the plantation culture of the south "ngambo" became "gumbo" and eventually came to be the word for a soup containing okra. In the deep south of South Carolina and southern Georgia it typically has Okra in it to provide thickening from the mucilaginous substance secreted from the okra.
As people moved westward toward the Louisiana region they adopted the Choctaw Indian method of using ground sassafras leaves (gumbe file) as the preferred thickening method in that area. Sidenote: Gumbo file is considered to be the only indigenous north American spice.
Without knowing what it is that you've been disappointed with, it's difficult to make suggestions. As with so many regional dishes there are certain consistencies but more often than not...more variations. This is one of those items where there isn't necessarily ONE primary method.
Some gumbos use a roux for added depth of flavor, color, and thickening while others are more broth based.
The main consistency is that it is typically served ladled over rice.
Pictures about "Secrets of Gumbo"
What is the secret ingredient in gumbo?
Dried Shrimp is the Secret Ingredient for Gumbo Robert says his secret ingredient is dried shrimp. My husband swore by this secret ingredient to make a more flavorful gumbo.What is the secret to good gumbo?
On a recent trip for gumbo supplies at Iverstine Butcher, their always-helpful staff gave me a serious gumbo secret \u2013 subbing the oil in your roux for pork lard! Lard's high smoke point means you get a nice, dark roux without it burning. The pork fat also gives your gumbo an additional layer of rich flavor.How can I improve my gumbo flavor?
Bonus Tips and TricksWhat makes gumbo thick?
Gumbo is much denser than a simple soup; the broth has a thick, almost viscous consistency. And that characteristic is most commonly created by making a roux, cooking flour and oil together until they thicken and darken. Otherwise, gumbo can be thickened with file, which is just powdered dried sassafras leaves.More answers regarding secrets of Gumbo
Answer 2
Gumbo is a dish originating in Louisiana. It is a recipe that evolved from a blending of cultures but mainly is a dish using many types of animal protein to make a flavorful food. The primary reason for it's inception was to make large quantities of food to feed lots of people from small amounts of animal protein.
Two secrets to making a flavorful gumbo is to make a dark roux, and the use of a stock instead of plain water.
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