Creole Gumbos Recipe

Gumbo Preparation

1. 1

   Prepare the Ingredients

   Chop the bacon, tasso ham, onion, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Slice the okra into pieces.

2. 2

   Cook the Bacon

   In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

3. 3

   Sauté the Holy Trinity

   In the same pot, add olive oil if needed. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery (the Holy Trinity) and sauté until they are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

4. 4

   Add Garlic and Tasso Ham

   Add the minced garlic and tasso ham to the pot, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

5. 5

   Stir in Okra and Tomatoes

   Add the sliced okra and canned diced tomatoes to the pot, stirring well to combine.

6. 6

   Add Liquids and Seasoning

   Pour in the chicken broth and add bay leaves, house spice mix, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.

7. 7

   Simmer the Gumbo

   Let the gumbo simmer for about 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.

8. 8

   Finish with File Powder

   Stir in the file powder just before serving, and adjust seasoning as necessary.

9. 9

   Serve with Rice and Garlic Bread

   Serve the gumbo hot over buttered rice with crispy garlic bread on the side.