Seafood Filé Gumbo at Brennan’s Restaurant

by Anne Shirley

217 Kcal

Protein 19.9g
Carbohydrates 15.9g
Fat 8.3g

Difficult cooking

120 min

New Orleans is a city of rich culture and history best experienced by its food. It is a city located along the Mississippi River, in the southeastern part of Louisiana. New Orleans is most notable for its distinctive music, Creole food, and annual celebrations. It is popularly known as “The Big Easy", for its live jazz music scene, around-the-clock nightlife, and spicy cuisine which reflects its combined history of French, African and American cultures. 25% of all known North American fish species inhabit the Mississippi River, which runs through the city. That's why the most famous dishes of New Orleans include seafood as an essential ingredient. The food of New Orleans is one of the most recognizable in the world as it combines local Creole, haute Cajun, and New Orleans French cuisines. Dishes like beignets (square-shaped fried french doughnuts), po'boy sandwiches, étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice have all originated in this city, and have helped New Orleans to earn its reputation as a world-class dining destination.

Where to try

Brennan's

#17 of 3735 restaurants in New Orleans , USA

Address: 417 Royal St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Learn about the unique ways and traditions of Creole and Cajun cuisine. Following the professional recommendations, recreate the Seafood Filé Gumbo.

Seafood filé Gumbo

Seafood file gumbo

“Gumbo” is the African word for okra. The gumbo dish originated as just being a stewed or boiled okra dish with rice. Today gumbo contains a roux, flour and fat mixture from French cooking, and then loaded with proteins such as andouille sausage, chicken, fowl, seafood (mostly shellfish), seasoned with spices and salt. Gumbo can be found in both Creole and Cajun cooking, with one primary difference between them: tomatoes are never used in the Cajun version of the dish. There are many versions of this dish and many ways to prepare it. So here is a step-by-step guide to recreating this amazing comfort food inspired by the talented team of the Brennan’s Restaurant.

Cooking directions

Ingredients

1 cup chopped garlic, 1 head of garlic, cut in half
1 pound okra, sliced into ¼ slices
5 pounds Andouille, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/4inch thick
1 quart diced tomatoes
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon Creole spice
5 bay leaves
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 pounds jumbo lump crabmeat
40 fresh shucked oysters
2 pounds (21/25 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup Crystal hot sauce
5 pounds crab bodies or shrimp shells
1 onion, peeled
3 gallons of cold water

Step 1. Take a large pot and add 3 gallons of water. Then mix 5 pounds of crab bodies or shrimp shells, 1 whole onion, 1 head of garlic cut in half with 2 bay leaves, and season with peppercorns and salt.

Step 2. Bring to simmer and cook this large stock pot for about one hour skimming away impurities that rise to the surface. Strain the seafood stock and keep it aside for later.

Step 3. Take a large stock pot and heat the oil on a medium flame. Add flour and whisk the mixture slowly and constantly till the colour turns mahogany brown. Be careful not to burn the mixture.

Step 4. Add the Andouille sausage, chopped onion, celery, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, garlic, and okra to the pot and stir carefully until the vegetables get cooked through for about 5 minutes.

Step 5. Add the seafood stock to this mixture with tomatoes, Creole spice, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and salt. Then simmer it for 1 hour skimming away any oil or impurities that rise to the surface of the pot.

Step 6. Finally add crabmeat, shrimp, oysters, and hot sauce and bring the pot back to simmer for about 3-4 minutes before serving.

Tip: Serve individual portions with 2 tablespoons of basmati rice and chopped scallion for garnish.

New Orleans is undoubtedly a simmering pot of history, culture, and Creole architecture that needs to be experienced by every avid traveler. The streets of this historic city are lined with gorgeous mansions, cottages, and townhouses. You will enjoy exploring this city on foot or by bicycle. Popular places like the French Quarters, Bourbon street, St. Louis Cathedral, and Jackson Square are within walking distance. New Orleans offers endless opportunities for fun and entertainment with a world-class art scene and historic architecture. It is like no other city. Travelers from all over the world flock to New Orleans, as its essence is engrained in its history and traditional values.

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