Nana’s Southern Gumbo

Name: Nana’s Southern Gumbo
Yield: serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 quarts Chicken Stock (page 28); 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 large tomatoes, chopped; 1 cup cubed smoked ham (about 6 ounces); 1 pound fresh or frozen okra, sliced; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chopped cooked chicken (about 6 ounces); 1 1/2 cups crab meat (1/2 pound); 1 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined; Juice of 1/2 lemon; 3/4 teaspoon hot sauce; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

December 9, 2011

We prepared this gumbo on our “Pass It On” show, because it is a generational favorite that dates back to Gina’s Nana. Nana made it for Gina, Gina makes it for our daughters, and the hope is that someday our daughters will prepare it for their children. Gina and I love seafood and spicy Louisiana flavors, and this gumbo delivers plenty of both. It’s delicious served over Gina’s Perfect Rice (page 27). Gumbos throughout the South are made with countless combinations of seafood and meat (chicken, wild game, and spicy sausage), and ours is brimming with crab, shrimp, chicken, and ham.

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