Process is as follows:
1) Make the Roux - this is using what I call the "Alton Brown Roux Technique"
4 oz Vegetable Oil
4 oz (by weight) All-Purpose flour
350 degree oven for 1.5 hours
Comes out as perfect Roux!
2) Make the broth
Peel 2lbs of shrimp, throw all of the heads, etc. into a pot with about 2quarts of water
Bring to a boil, turn down to medium and boil for an hour. Do this while the Roux bakes.
When the broth is ready, the heads should be red in color. Your entire house will smell like gumbo.
Strain off the carapaces and discard.
3) Chopped Goodies
1 yellow onion (maybe 1.5 cups)
1 green bell pepper (maybe 1.5 cups)
1 celery stalk (3/4 cup give or take)
4-5 cloves of fresh garlic (I like maybe 1/4 cup!)
Combine Chopped Goodies with Roux when it comes out. If you don't mind dirtying an extra dish, saute the onions and garlic for a bit in olive oil first.
Cook the Chopped Goodies and Roux together for about 8 minutes.
4) Combine broth, Chopped Goodies, Roux and Seasonings
Now get yourself a big gumbo pot, dump the Roux+Chopped Goodies in there
Pour in the Broth slowly.
Add the following seasonings:
1/2 tbsp Kosher Salt (use 1/2 tsp if it's regular iodized salt)
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tbsp Black Cracked Pepper
2-3 Bay Leaves
1 tbsp Italian Herbs (this usually has Thyme, Basil, Oregano in it). If you don't have this, at least add some Thyme
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 cup carrots, fresh chopped into 1/2" chunks
1 cup carrots, fresh chopped into 1/2" chunks
Add the juice from a can of clams, set the clams aside
Set your heat to low and cook for about 1/2 hour.
5) Manage the Okra
If you're using frozen okra, go a head and throw this in now and extend your cooking time another 10 minutes.
If you are using fresh okra, throw those in after 15 minutes during above step
6) Manage the clams
Throw the clams after 15 minutes. Too long in and they will get rubbery.
7) Add the Sausage and Shrimp
Slice the Andoille Sausage into small pieces (1/2") and brown in a pan
8) Combine the lot
After the 30-40 minutes of Roux+Broth+Chopped Goodies has elapsed, add in the Sausage and Shrimp
Stir well and turn off the heat.
