Here’s the best gumbo I’ve ever had. It’s Basil Ashby’s recipe.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe
You will need the below items for the Gumbo.
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Flour – use regular flour not self risen.
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped bell peppers
1 cup chopped Green onions
1 1/2 pounds SMOKED sausage cut into bite size ( Get as good brand as you
can find) Andouille
Sausage if you can find it.
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 bay leaves ( remove when gumbo is done)
8 cups chicken broth, more if you think you need it. ( I use Swanson
chicken broth no fat)
Note: do not use the chicken broth from the boiled chicken it’s to greases.
4-5 pounds of chicken meat cut or pulled to medium size bites.
Note: Remove the skin from the chicken, then boil in water until done ,
cool chicken then remove meat set aside in a bowl
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
Season Chicken Rub- see below recipe for the rub.
Important Note: have everything chopped and ready to go before you start
the roux.
Let’s put it together””
First step and very important one is making the roux. Combine the oil and
flour in a large cast iron pot or enameled cast iron Dutch oven. Pour one
cup of oil in pot on medium heat, once the oil is hot, start adding the
flour a little at a time. This is a little work but you can’t leave the roux
once you start. So have a beer or two ready to drink. Stirring slowly and
constantly for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the roux to get dark brown, the
color of chocolate. If you see any black speaks in the roux it has burned
and you must start over. So go slow it may take 3 beers. After roux is done
add the onions, celery, bell peppers, and green onions to the roux continue
to stir for 4 to 5 minutes. Then add the sausage, salt , cayenne, and bay
leaves. Continue to stir 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir
well, bring to a boil reduce heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered stirring
occasionally for about 1 hour or less. You are now ready to season the
chicken that’s in the bowl with the seasoning rub. After you season the
chicken add to pot. Cook gumbo for at least an hour or more at a simmer.
Season Chicken Rub
8 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons cayenne
4 tablespoons ground black pepper
5 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons onion powder
4 tablespoons salt
2 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 1/2 tablespoons dried thyme.
Note: This rub recipe is more then you will need, so you will need to kind
of guess how much to use, but add a pretty good amount. Now take the rub and
season the chicken in the bowl all over before putting in pot, stir chicken
well after spreading the rub on the chicken. This rub is all the seasoning
you will need for the Gumbo. Serve over rice”‘ Enjoy
Aaron Fulkerson 