Conecuh Sausage Gumbo Recipes

CHICKEN AND CONECUH COUNTY SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed (preferably cast-iron) skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture darkens to a rich, reddish-brown color, 30 to 35 minutes. (Be careful not to let the flour burn or the gumbo will taste burned.) Once the roux reaches the desired color, add the onions, celery and peppers and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and bay leaves, and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the beer, stirring to scrape any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet.
• Transfer the roux mixture to a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the Chicken Stock, salt, black pepper and cayenne, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the gumbo for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the gumbo is simmering, slice the sausage lengthwise and then make crosswise cuts, forming 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is rendered and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer the sausage to a paper-towel-lined plate and pat dry. Add the cooked sausage, okra and tomatoes to the gumbo and simmer an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken and cook an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Just before serving, remove and discard the bay leaves and stir in the green onions. Ladle the gumbo into warmed soup bowls and top with cooked rice. Serve hot.
• For the whole chicken: Rinse the chicken under cold running water and pat dry. Place the chicken in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add 5 quarts cold water, the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, salt, thyme and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the top. Remove the whole chicken from the water mixture and set aside to cool slightly. Continue to simmer the broth mixture for an additional 30 minutes, skimming occasionally. Strain the broth through a fine-meshed sieve or strainer and discard the solids. The stock can be used immediately or chilled and kept refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to one month. The meat can be pulled off of the whole chicken and reserved for another use.
• For the chicken bones: Rinse the bones under cold running water and drain. Place the bones in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add 5 quarts cold water, the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, salt, thyme and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, skimming off any foam that rises to the top. Strain the broth through a fine-meshed sieve or strainer and discard the bones and vegetables. The stock can be used immediately or chilled and kept refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Makes about 5 quarts.

CONECUH SAUSAGE GUMBO RECIPE

Steps:

• Drain liquid off vegetables but not from tomatoes. Add everything to a large pot and cook until done.

GUMBO Z'HERBES

Steps:

• Cut leeks in half lengthwise, then slice both white and green parts crosswise into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Remove and discard stems from collard greens, turnip greens, kale, and chard; chop all greens, keeping them separate. Dice celery stalks and reserve leaves for garnish.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and 1 tablespoon thyme; cook, stirring frequently, until leeks are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add collard greens, turnip greens, and cabbage; cook, stirring frequently, until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add kale, chard, and 1 tablespoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until all greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking greens, stirring frequently, until tender and no longer bitter, about 10 minutes. Remove greens from the pot and transfer to a large bowl; set aside until ready to use.
• Wipe out the pot and melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until flour mixture is dark brown in color and very aromatic (try to get this mixture as dark as possible without burning it), about 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, onion, and diced celery; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme; cook, stirring constantly, until tender and fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Whisk in vegetable broth. Add reserved braised greens, add bay leaves, black pepper, file powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with remaining 1 tablespoon salt.
• Serve over cooked rice and garnish with reserved celery leaves, if desired.