Gumbo Recipe

So I have 2 ways that I like to use to make gumbo, and one is completely homemade, and the other is semi-homemade. The first way I prefer to use for special occasions as it takes a lot longer to prepare and requires a lot more ingredients. The second way, I use part of my homemade recipe and cut it short by using Zatarin's Gumbo Mix.

So if your wanting to make this recipe during the week I would say use the second version and if your doing this on a weekend or special occasion go ahead and invest the time as it will be a lot more authentic if you do and the taste will be well worth it as well. I always serve ours with baked cornbread muffins. So here you go, enjoy!

Gumbo-Homemade

Ingredients:
6-8 chicken wings
2 cups of sliced Smoke Sausage, Andouille, or Kielbasa
1 pd of crab legs (or less, your preference)
1 pd of uncooked deveined shrimp (or less, your preference)
1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
1 box of chopped frozen okra, thawed
2 tbsp of Cajun seasoning, divided
2 tbsp of Italian seasoning, divided
2 tbsp of Creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning), divided
1 tbsp of Gumbo File (I also use Tony Chachere Gumbo File)

Directions:
The first thing you will need to do is put your cleaned chicken wings in a 6qt pot and cover them with water until the pot is about 3/4 full. Add 1 tbsp each of Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and Creole seasoning. Let the chicken and seasonings boil on medium-low heat for about 40min to an hour, or until you see the chicken begin to fall off the bone. (you may need to check back every 15mins to check the water level; you want to make sure the chicken stays covered with water) Once the chicken begins to fall off the bone, you will need to spoon off any foam that has appeared on the surface of the water. After you have done this add in the smoke sausage, diced tomatoes, and the other 1tbsp of Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and Creole seasoning. Let this continue to boil for another 20mins at med-low heat. After the 20mins has passed add in the 1tbsp of gumbo file, and the crab legs, and boil another 20mins. Finally you can add the shrimp and the okra and boil for about another 10mins. Now you can serve the gumbo over rice and with a slice of baked cornbread if you choose. Enjoy!


Gumbo-Semi-Homemade

Ingredients:
6-8 chicken wings
2 cups of sliced Smoke Sausage, Andouille,or Kielbasa
1 pd of uncooked deveined shrimp (or less, your preference)
1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
1 box of Zatarins Gumbo Mix

Directions:
The first thing you will need to do is put your cleaned chicken wings in a 6qt pot and cover them with water until the pot is about 3/4 full. Let the chicken boil on medium-low heat for about 40min. (you may need to check back every 15mins to check the water level; you want to make sure the chicken stays covered with water) Once the time has passed spoon off any foam that has appeared on the surface of the water. After you have done this add in the smoke sausage, diced tomatoes, and the Zatarain's Gumbo Mix package. Let this continue to boil for another 20mins at med-low heat. Finally you can add the shrimp boil for an additional 10mins. Now you can serve the gumbo with a slice of baked cornbread if you choose. Enjoy!