Special Diet Information

Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is NOT safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.

Lactose
This recipe is safe for those who are lactose intolerant.

Sodium
This is a low sodium recipe.

GERD / Acid Reflux
This recipe contains GERD triggers and those with GERD may wish to avoid it.

Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten. Use garbanzo flour and not wheat flour in this dish. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.

"My father always taught by telling stories about his experiences. His lessons were about morality and art and what insects and birds and human beings had in common. He told me what it meant to be a man and to be a Black man. He taught me about love and responsibility, about beauty, and how to make gumbo." -Walter Mosley, Author

The refrigerator light goes on...

I learned the technique of browning the flour in a pan without fat from an elderly patient of mine. She said that it was the key to great gumbo because it let you control exactly how brown the roux would be better than if you put the flour in a pan with a lot of fat. It also allows you to use a lot less fat.

Gumbo is pretty easy to make, and there are lots of variations. This one doesn't use sausage (here's my Chicken and Andouille Gumbo recipe), but the smoky flavor comes from the smoked paprika and is enhanced by the umami of the Worcestershire sauce.

The flour helps thicken the gumbo but so does the filé, which is actually dried and ground sassafras root. The filé not only offers the distinctive pungent flavor, but also helps give the soup a silky texture.