Thread: Gumbo:

So gents the word of the day is

"Gumbo"

The question of the day is

Creole vs Cajun and why ???

Creole generally has more tomatoes and okra in their versions, Mine is a sort of combo of Cajun and Creole. I say find about ten gumbo recipes and look at the similarities and differences and make your own. Only real rule of thumb is to use the trinity and make a good roux, otherwise the sky is the limit and their are a million different gumbo recipes out there so it's not like there is one ruling kind that dictates "This is Gumbo". There are also Caribbean gumbos out there too.

I prefer Cajun. It's a personal thing. I don't like the tomatoes found in the Creole. Plus, as a "general" rule the Cajun will have a bit darker bolder rue and use a variety of meats (not just seafood that's found in most Creole gumbo). It's like Nightblade said it's very ambiguous. We're talking very loose parameters no matter if it's Creole or Cajun. Like BBQ or chili...Everybody has there own little variation.

The thing that absolutely cracked me up in Culinary school was when we made big batches of Chili for different charity events as a fund raiser. Every Chef in the school house would stop by and add their "secret" to an outstanding chili. It eventually got a little irritating.
Even Lagasse got in on it when he was visiting for a board meeting. I'm rocking out a batch, he stops by "Jer you making chili? Hold on." runs off and comes back with some spices "BAM now it's got some NOLA kick to it son".

I just laughed and told him he's gonna get a "kick" from my moms for messing with her recipe.

I'll echo... 'First you start with your roux' the rest is wide open. Our gumbo pot would run for several days and could move from seafood to chicken to pork to whatever we killed that day. Squirrel, ducks, 'coon, dove, quail, they all ultimately made their way into the pot.

Let me tell you

Finding Gumbo File' in Sandpoint Idaho is a Challenge

But I have found it, so I am leaning Cajun now

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Let me tell you

Finding Gumbo File' in Sandpoint Idaho is a Challenge

But I have found it, so I am leaning Cajun now

That's where i broke the rules. I always used okra because I liked It but I liked to garnish with a little File' at the end because I liked the flavor it added.

So last week we were in Phoenix at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino. I had the very best Shrimp Gumbo since I left Houston, Texas 21 years ago, see photo.
okra is a must for me.
It's a restaurant in a Casino in the middle of an Arizona desert! Go figure. BTW it's called the Ocean Trail. I guess I like Creole best, reason being
I don't like Opossum, Nutria and Robins shot with a BB gun in front of the restaurant while I'm eating there (true story). The special of the day was
Robin Gumbo, fresh! I do love both

wheres Paco when you need him hes a registered Coon Ass and knows his Cajun and creole Tc

I do love Gumbo. My wife and I make gumbo. When I go where there is suppose to be good gumbo I try it. A few years ago I went to Savannah Georgia. I ask at the hotel where i could find good gumbo. I was told to go to Tiby Island to a certain restaurant because they had the best. Now I ask several people and got the same name (which I can't remember now) so I went. I ask for there great gumbo. What I got was a plate of rice with a little white gravy and 3 shrimp. at a price of about 20.00. There was no seasoning . When I left there I went to a convenience store and bought a pack of cheese crackers and coke. I learned that if a restaurant has gumbo I ask for a cup first. If it's eatable i then order a bowl. Just a thought .

don't forget to make your best cornbread to go along with Gumbo guys, all my time in Louisianna that's what the good ole boys always served. and jalepeno cornbread was the one served most. I miss working in La, they cooked all the time and it was fantastic, just don't ask whats in the pot.