Gumbo and Biscuits recipes by Paula Deen

It was a sleepy Sunday evening. Hubby and I were taking turns to entertain our 10-month old little bub. It was then hubby suggested to watch a movie at home. We finally settled with The Princess and the Frog, a 2009 animated movie.

It was a story about a hardworking waitress named Tiana who dreamed of owning her own restaurant. Tiana's father was a good cook. One recipe that was repeatedly mentioned was gumbo. I've heard of gumbo but I don't know how does it look and taste like.

After a quick Googling, I learn that gumbo is a dish consists primarily of a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener, and seasoning vegetables, which can include celery, bell peppers and onions. Gumbo is often categorized by the type of thickener used: the African vegetable okra, the Choctaw spice filé powder, or roux, the French base made of flour and fat. [Source]

I look up Paula Deen's Gumbo and here's the recipe.

Paula Deen's Gumbo

Recipe can be found on PaulaDeen.com and FoodNetwork.com.

(Serves 8-10)
(Serves 2-3 with my modifications)

Ingredients:

3 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I use 2 medium chicken breast, sliced)

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use 4 tablespoons)

1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices (I use 5 pieces pork cocktail sausages, sliced)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I use 1/4 cup)

5 tablespoons margarine (I use 2 tablespoons)

1 large onion, chopped (I use 1 medium onion)

8 cloves garlic, minced (I use 4 cloves)

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped (I use 2 stalks)

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce (I use 4 tablespoons)

1/4 bunch flat leaf parsley, stems and leaves, coarsely chopped, plus chopped leaves for garnish (I use Chinese parsley or daun sup)

4 cups hot water (I use 2 cups)

5 beef bouillon cubes (I use 2 cubes)

1 (14-ounce can) stewed tomatoes with juice (I use 1/2 can)

2 cups frozen sliced okra (I use 1 cup fresh okra, sliced)

4 green onions, sliced, white and green parts (I omit this)

1/2 pound small shrimp, peeled, deveined and cooked (I omit this because hubby can't eat seafood)

How to:

1. Season chicken slices with salt and pepper.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken slices until browned on both sides; remove from pan and set aside. Add sausages and cook until browned, then remove from pan and set aside.

3. Sprinkle flour over oil in the pan, add 1 tablespoon margarine, and cook over medium heat. Stir constantly, until brown, about 10 minutes. Off the heat and let the roux cool.

4. Return the pan to low heat and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon margarine. Add onion, garlic, green pepper, celery, and Chinese parsley. Cook for 10 minutes.

5. Add Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, while stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.

6. Add hot water and beef cubes, whisking constantly. Add chicken and sausages. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.

7. Add tomatoes and okra. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

8. Remove from heat. Serve hot with Tabasco sauce and biscuits (recipe to follow below).

Paula Deen's Biscuits 

Recipe can be found on PaulaDeen.com and FoodNetwork.com.

(Makes about 3 dozen)
(Makes about a dozen with my modifications)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour (I use 1 cup)

1 teaspoons sugar (I use 1/2 teaspoon)

1 tablespoon baking powder (I use 1/2 tablespoon)

1 teaspoon salt (I use 1/2 teaspoon)

8 tablespoons butter, cubed (I use 4 tablespoons)

3/4 cup milk (I use slightly less than 1/2 cup)


How to:

1. Preheat oven to 220°C for at least 10 minutes. Line baking tray with baking sheet.

2. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Cut butter into mixture until it begins to look like cornmeal.

3. Make a well with flour mixture and slowly add milk into the middle. Knead dough with your fingers and add milk when necessary. Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to desired thickness.

4. Place biscuits in baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

 

This post is linked to Cook like a Star (Paula Deen and Deen brothers theme) organized by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids, Joyce from Kitchen Flavours and Diana from Domestic Goddess Wannabe.