For All Foodies Out There...

This post is slightly unusual in that we have nothing in particular to say.  But we do, however, have something yummy to share...
a Cajun Gumbo recipe!  Hope you give it a try! 

CAJUN GUMBO

2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
3 Tablespoons no-salt Cajun Seasoning, divided
1/4 cup flour
3 cups stock (chicken, beef or seafood)
1/2 pound okra, ends trimmed without cutting into pod  (optional)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
1/2 pound smoked sausage
1/2 pound meat, poultry or seafood of choice (consider shrimp, crawfish, crab, pork, turkey, chicken or duck).  Meats and poultry should be cooked;  seafood can be raw
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, according to taste
White rice, for serving
Filé powder, for serving
Tabasco sauce, for serving

In a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onion, green and red bell peppers and celery along with 1 Tablespoon of the Cajun seasonings. Cook, stirring regularly, about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Sprinkle in the flour; continue cooking, stirring constantly and with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes more or until the mixture has taken on a deep golden brown colour. Scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir to prevent burning. Stir in the stock 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well to avoid lumps. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium or enough to maintain a gentle boil and allow to simmer until it thickens slightly. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in the okra, tomatoes, smoked sausage and remaining 2 Tablespoons of Cajun seasonings. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the okra is cooked. Taste the stew, add salt to taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Stir in the meat or seafood of choice and simmer until heated or cooked through.

To serve:  Mound about 1/2 cup rice in the center of a shallow soup bowl. Ladle 1 1/2 cups gumbo over the rice and sprinkle with filé powder, if desired. Pass the Tabasco at the table.

Makes 6 servings.