Today is pretty chilly in our neck of the woods (get it, nest...woods...) so what better meal than a warm, hearty soup like Gumbo?!
This recipe is adapted from Alex Snodgrass's cookbook The Defined Dish and I love everything this woman creates so we have just adopted it and enhanced it based on our personal preferences and I'm so excited to share it with you! Just a little tip too, I usually DOUBLE this recipe because we love it so much, plus, it gives me extra to happily share with others (neighbors or drop-offs around the neighborhood to local friends)
You'll need:
2 c. frozen Okra 5 T. Olive oil
6 c. Chicken Broth 2 T. Arrowroot Starch
1 Cup yellow onion 1 Cup diced green pepper
1 Cup diced celery 2 garlic cloves
(I used 2 T. minced garlic from a jar)
1 T. tomato paste 1/2 t. cayenne
1/4 t. dried thyme 2 c. shredded Chicken (I used leftover pieces from rotisserie)
12 oz. smoked sausage 2 c. rice
(or cauliflower rice if you prefer)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Toss frozen Okra in 1 T. olive oil, salt + pepper and cook for 25 minutes (or browned).
While Okra is cooking, dice up the yellow onion, green pepper, and celery.
Mix 1 cup Chicken broth and arrowroot powder and sit aside.
Start heating up remaining olive oil in Dutch oven and add diced veggies as you finish cutting and cook over Medium-High heat. Once they're softened, add garlic, tomato paste and spices. Once combined, slowly add (while continuously whisking) the arrowroot mixture. Continue to stir until thick like gravy, then add remaining chicken broth and stir.
Once all these wonderful flavors are combined, let cook on medium for about 10 minutes before adding the shredded chicken, smoked sausage and cooked + cooled Okra.
Allow all of those flavors to simmer together as you prepare the rice/Cauliflower rice. If the gumbo is more thick than you'd prefer, add a cup at a time of chicken broth until you get the consistency you like!
Let us know how you adapt this recipe yourself at home + be sure to tag us @our.creative.nest as you're cooking our shared recipes! We love to hear from you!
