Earlier this week, we had a few days that were drizzly and dreary here in New York City. It’s a bit early in the year for the sun to retreat into hibernation, but the cooler weather was a welcome respite to the penetrating heat.
Although the weather has cooled down, it’s still summer, and the markets were flush with greens of every variety. After bagging some lithe, fuzzy okra, a bunch of emerald green lacinato kale, and carrots and beets with greens still attached, I decided to recreate one of my favorite takes on gumbo. It’s called Green Gumbo, and was originally prepared as a meat-free alternative during Lent.
The first time I tried Green Gumbo at the Crescent City Farmers Market, they put a raw oyster at the bottom of the cup, and the hot liquid cooked the oyster, releasing its umami rich brine into the Gumbo Z’Herbes. It didn’t taste like any gumbo I’d ever had, but it surprised and delighted my tastebuds, with it’s smoked mushrooms and green nutty flavor.
Since it’s not Lent, and and I’m not in New Orleans, I’ve gone non-traditional and added bacon and Andouille sausage. This gives it the smokey flavor of the more familiar varieties of gumbo, while still keeping it quick and easy to prepare. If you really want to go healthy, or vegetarian, just omit the sausage and bacon and you’ll have a green gumbo that’s satisfying, yet light enough for the warmer months. Just make sure you add the greens in odd numbers.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces bacon cut chopped thick
- 12 ounces Andouille sausages sliced 1/4 " thick
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 8 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 onion large minced
- 2 - 3 jalapeno chilis seeds removed and minced (add less if you want it mild)
- 8 ounces clam juice
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 6 ounces okra trimmed and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon paprika smoked
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- brown rice Cooked
Steps
- Add the bacon and andouille to a large pot and fry over medium heat, until most of the fat has rendered out and the sausage is browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage and bacon to a plate. You should have about 1/4 cup of fat in the pot, if you have more, remove some, if you have less, add butter.
- Add the flour to the fat and fry, stirring frequently to make the roux. Keep frying until it reaches a golden brown color. Add the garlic and onions and fry until the onions are browned, soft and fragrant.
- To save time, I pulsed the greens in a food processor along with some of the stock, but if you like it more chunky you can hand chop the greens. Add the jalapenos, greens, clam juice, vegetable stock, and okra to the pot. Return the bacon and sausage, then add the celery seed, oregano, paprika and pepper.
- Lightly salt the gumbo. It should be a little less salty than you think it should be since some of the water will evaporate as it cooks. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 40 minutes, or until the greens are tender and the green gumbo is thick and flavourful.
- Serve the green gumbo over hot rice with hot sauce.
Notes:
Wow. Really fantastic colors and flavors. I’ve actually never tried my hand at gumbo… I guess maybe it’s about time.
What would be a good vegetarian substitute for the clam juice?
Alright, I really want this right now.
This sounds fabulous. Going to try it when it cools down again… damn NYC weather!
LA has been struck with a few days of cooler weather too. Can you believe summer’s coming to an end, and now it’s time to start cooking up a whole new batch of dishes? Looking forward to it though. This is one that would be just right.
I love this recipe! I’m not a fan of bell peppers, and every gumbo recipe I’ve seen starts with peppers. Much happier with this rendition! Thanks so much – I’m making it this weekend.
Beautiful dish, Marc. I like the idea of ‘green’ gumbo and I bet the one with the oyster on bottom was quite a taste treat.
Delicious! I’ve always loved gumbo, but never like shrimp in mine, so this will be perfect. Thanks!
This looks so delicious! Definitely unique and something that I want to try very soon!
Wow!!! What an amazing blog you have here!! I can sure tell that you’ve been doing this for a while.
I love your way of writing, and your pictures too! You must have a pretty nice camera! I love your healthy way of life and cooking !
I’m so glad I discovered your site. Awesome! Can’t wait to try out some of the stuff!!!!!!!!
Please keep the posts coming. You’re an inspiration.
Reka
ѼHefiA at HealthFirst.Always
http://hefia.wordpress.com
What a vivid green that is! Cracking dish all ’round, Marc. Like Joan I love the idea of the oyster too – reminds me of the Lancashire Hot Pot I grew up eating that had a layer of briny oysters at the bottom under the lamb and root veg. Not that bacon and andouille isn’t a fantastic alternative!
I just made this and it was really good! Directions were easy to follow. Thanks!
I just made this and it was really good! Directions were easy to follow. Thanks!