For GUMBO There are no rules in Gumbo, except ONE: You gotta have a Roux, or it aint Gumbo.
Roux Instructions
However there ARE a few highly suggestible ingredients.
The Holy Trinity as it is known in Acadia
(very catholic)
IS....
Onions
Bell Peppers
Celery
It just aint hardly Gumbo without these included.
(I'd go ahead
and include garlic in there too as a must)
Fil'e Powder, a thickener made from sassafras root can be added to the bowl
at the table, but isn't necessary.
It thickens the gumbo and does have yet another unique taste.
"Kicker Meats" are also used commonly to enhance the meat flavor of Gumbo.
(Some would say it isn't Gumbo without Andouilli in it or some other kicker)
Kicker Meats are a "secondary meat" as an addition to a primary meat source that adds a special flavor.
After that, the sky is the limit, and that is one reason why Gumbo can be
so amazingly diverse.
Cajuns do not eat food as hot as many people think, that is a commercial
version of Cajun.
They like Hot, but not like New Orleans pushed it....
Here are a few lists of things I have used myself in Gumbo over
time, but dont be confined to these.
If you can think it up,
then Gumbo can deliver.
MEATS
| Duck | Deer | Snapper |
| Chicken | Goat | Crabs |
| Pheasant | Coon | Shrimp |
| Quail | Otter | Clams |
| Goose | Rabbit | Porgy |
| Turkey | Flounder | Oysters |
| Dove | Frog | Turtle |
| Squirrel | Ling | Crawfish |
"KICKER MEATS"
| Andouille Sausage | Smoked Pork Sausage | Smoked Hocks |
| Tasso | Smoked Ham | Hillshire Farm Smoked |
| Turkey Wings | Pig Tails | Chicken Livers |
VEGGIES & SPICES
| Garlic | Mushrooms | Oyster Mushrooms |
| Parsley | Pecans | Lemons |
| Chives | Water Chestnuts | Chopped Leeks |
| Oregano | Bean Sprouts | Radish |
| Thyme | Jalapeno | Red Onions |
| Basil | Cayanne, (preferred) | White Onions |
| Pepper Corns | Pimento | Sage |
| White Pepper | Black Olives | Bay Leaf |
| Allspice | Mace | Tomato Puree |
| Worcestershire | Okra | Tomato Sauce |
| Honey | Artichoke Hearts | Tomatoes |
I probably forgot a few, in fact I'm sure of it....
LIQUORS:
| White Wine, (The best) | Beer | Bourbon or Sherry |
RICE:
Rice is the main staple upon which Gumbo is poured over to eat.
White rice is preferred by Cajuns, but wild and darks are also good.
GOOD BREAD:
Doctoring up French Bread to serve with Gumbo is excellent and I highly recommend
it.
GREEN ONIONS:
Served on the side trimmed and whole is a wonderful addition to the plate.
FIL'E POWDER is standard on the Cajun Table to add to the bowl as well.
About Gumbo How To Make Roux Ingredients Layering Gumbo Making Stock Recipes
