Salt and pepper make cajuns yawn, and ketchup is in the background of the above picture for a reason. Here we rely on the stars of the picture~ gumbo file' and Tabasco.
Gumbo File'~ (Pronounced Fee-Lay). File' powder, made from the dried leaves of sassafras trees that grow wild along the coast of the Gulf Of Mexico, was discovered and used by the Choctaw Indians long before the Acadians (Cajun's) reached Louisiana. When used in a gumbo, it imparts a delicate flavor somewhat similar to that of thyme, and a spoonful or so thickens stock into the kind of rich gravy that a genuine gumbo must have. But the cook must be careful: file' powder will become stringy if it is allowed to boil (the word file' may have come from the French word for "thread") and should be added only at the last possible minute. It's a sin to eat gumbo without file'. (from purecajun.com)
Tabasco Sauce~ made right near here at Avery Island. Check THIS out.
6 comments:
cool, i don't suppose you have a gumbo recipe? i've tried to make some, but it always comes out more like chicken soup lol
Who me? Cook gumbo? Have a recipe? Sorry....never even tried. I suppose one day I will give it a try, but only after some fine cajun women have taught me how! Gumbo does taste better when it's cooked by someone who has been doing it all their life.
A side note~ around here it is not the typical seafood gumbo I'm more familiar with like from New Orleans. This gumbo is chicken and sausage gumbo. It has the same base, but it is totally different in taste, texture and smell. I like both kinds!
Have you used this in other recipes? I'm thinking it might be a good change from what us Missourians use (salt & pepper).
Don't forget the Tony's! (Tony Chacere's Creole Seasoning)
I was just thinking, what about Tony's???!!! My friends know we put Tony's on everything...and now they do too! :-)
Lisa
p.s. I love tabasco/ketchup mixed!
The recipe for gumbo is written on the roux jar. There's a good one online too here, from a famous musician in Eunice, La.
http://www.gumbopages.com/food/soups/gumbo-de-savoy.html
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