Celery,diced | 1 bunch |
Green bell pepper,diced | 1 |
Yellow onion, diced | 1 large |
Green onion, chopped | 1 bunch |
Parsley, finely chopped | 1 bunch |
Garlic | 2-3 cloves |
Bay leaves | 2-3 |
Thyme | 0.25-0.5 teaspoon |
Cajun seasoning | 1-2 tablespoons |
Shrimps | 2 cups |
Rotisserie Chicken or chicken | 1 |
Andouille sausages (or Polska Kielbasa) | 1 pound |
Chicken broth | 6-8 cups |
Bacon drippings (optional) | 0.5 cup |
Hot pepper sauce (optional) | 2 tablespoons |
Beer (optional) | |
Roux | |
All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
Vegetable or canola oil | 2/3 cup |
Make the Roux*: In a large, heavy bottom stock pot combine flour and oil. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 30-45 minutes. This part takes patience--when it's finished it should be as dark as chocolate and have a soft, "cookie dough" like consistency. Be careful not to let it burn! Feel free to add a little more flour or oil as needed to reach this consistency.
Brown the sausage, chicken, and shrimp. In a separate skillet on medium-high heat place the sausage slices in one layer in the pan. Brown them well on one side (2-3 minutes) and then use a fork to flip each over onto the other side to brown. Remove to a plate.
Add the garlic, celery, jalapeño, bell pepper, and onion and cook for one minute.
Add the beer to deglaze, then add the stock, thyme, bay leaves, cajun seasoning, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Stir slowly and continuously
Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Gumbo should thick but not like gravy. Season with cayenne and serve with cooked rice. Top with scallions and enjoy.