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Mahalia Jackson’S Okra Gumbo

Mahalia Jackson's Okra Gumbo recipe image
This authentic Cajun-style gumbo delivers deep, savory flavors in every spoonful, combining slow-simmered meats with fresh seafood and tender okra. The dish features a robust broth built from shrimp shells, enriched with ham, sausage, beef, and chicken for a complex, comforting taste profile. It is the perfect hearty meal for cold evenings or family gatherings, offering a satisfying balance of textures from the crisp-then-tender okra to the succulent crab and shrimp. While it requires some time to develop its full flavor, the process is straightforward, resulting in a dish that tastes even better the next day. Serve it over hot rice for a classic Southern experience that brings warmth and tradition to your table.
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 12
Calories: 87.0
Dietary: Gluten-free
Description
This authentic Cajun-style gumbo delivers deep, savory flavors in every spoonful, combining slow-simmered meats with fresh seafood and tender okra. The dish features a robust broth built from shrimp shells, enriched with ham, sausage, beef, and chicken for a complex, comforting taste profile. It is the perfect hearty meal for cold evenings or family gatherings, offering a satisfying balance of textures from the crisp-then-tender okra to the succulent crab and shrimp. While it requires some time to develop its full flavor, the process is straightforward, resulting in a dish that tastes even better the next day. Serve it over hot rice for a classic Southern experience that brings warmth and tradition to your table.
Ingredients
  • 4 Blue Crabs, lg
Directions
  1. 1
    Clean the crabs, discarding the spongy substance in the main shell, and reserve the claws and other meaty portions.
  2. 2
    Clean the shrimp, reserving the shells.
  3. 3
    Place the shrimp shells in a deep saucepan with enough water to cover them generously and simmer for 30 minutes or longer to create a broth.
  4. 4
    Pour oil into a heavy skillet to a depth of 1/8 inch and heat over medium-high heat.
  5. 5
    Add the beef stew meat, cooked ham, link sausage, chicken gizzards, and salt pork to the skillet.
  6. 6
    Saute the meat mixture until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
  7. 7
    Transfer the browned meat mixture to a large kettle.
  8. 8
    Add 1 can of whole tomatoes and enough strained shrimp broth to cover the ingredients generously.
  9. 9
    Add the crumbled bay leaves, cover the kettle, and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  10. 10
    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  11. 11
    Add the diced onions, green bell peppers, celery, and crushed garlic to the skillet.
  12. 12
    Saute the vegetables until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
  13. 13
    Add the vegetable mixture and the chicken wings and backs to the kettle with the simmering meat.
  14. 14
    Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes longer.
  15. 15
    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in another heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  16. 16
    Add the fresh okra and cook, stirring often, until it is lightly browned and loses its stickiness, about 30 minutes.
  17. 17
    Add the cleaned shrimp to the okra and saute for 3 or 4 minutes longer, or until the shrimp turns pink.
  18. 18
    Stir in 2 tablespoons of sugar.
  19. 19
    Add the okra and shrimp mixture to the kettle.
  20. 20
    Drain the second can of tomatoes, reserving the liquid.
  21. 21
    Add the drained tomatoes, reserved crab meat, and enough tomato liquid and shrimp broth to keep the mixture in the kettle soupy.
  22. 22
    Simmer the gumbo for about 30 minutes.
  23. 23
    Stir in the dried parsley flakes and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
  24. 24
    Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  25. 25
    Serve hot over rice in deep soup bowls.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 87.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Cholesterol 71.0mg24%
Sodium 290.0mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.0g
Protein 18.0g36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: cajun, gumbo, okra, seafood, ham, sausage, beef, chicken, shrimp, crab, southern, comfort food, stew, rice, simmer, spicy, traditional, holiday, family style, one pot
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/mahalia-jacksons-okra-gumbo/