Tomorrow is Gumbo Day at work. That means I’ll be making my roux. For those of you who have never made a roux it’s not easy. Simple yes, but not easy. It involves mixing flour and some kind of fat(oil, shortening, lard, etc.) in a pot and cooking it slowly, stirring ALL THE TIME!
If it only took 10 minutes or so it would be easy but it takes at least an hour for the dark chocolate color needed for a good gumbo. If you have the heat too high it will burn and you’ll have to start all over. I found a website with some pretty good recipes a few years ago.
I’ve made my gumbo about 6 times. So far I’ve never burned the roux but I know statistics will catch up to me sooner or later.
I like the spice so I usually add some kind of habanero sauce. One time I added a little of “Da’ Bomb“. For some reason there was a lot left over that Gumbo Day.
I did not know you were into cooking. Sounds good. Wish they did something like that at my work. We just go to the company lunchroom and pay high prices for small portions.
Comment by Richard — Monday June 13, 2005 @ 8:45 pm
Gumbo day was a success as usual and as usual there was way too much. There are 2 guys who bring in LARGE pots of gumbo and theirs always goes at the beginning of the line. They are also the guys who organize it so I guess that’s ok. Mine did not come out as good as it usually does because I used cheap sausage which gave off a lot of fat. Oh well, I’ll use chicken next time.
Comment by Don — Monday June 13, 2005 @ 9:37 pm