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Gumba-what?
If you can’t decide between gumbo or jambalaya for Mardi Gras (this year on March 4th), go for gumbalaya, a combination of both.
Gumbo (photo #2) is a Cajun stew that typically consists of a strongly meat or shellfish stock, the Cajun “trinity” (bell peppers and onions), and a variety of proteins such as andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp, served with rice. Okra is often used as a thickener. The name is believed to derive from the Bantu word for okra, ki ngombo.
Jambalaya (photo #3), a rice dish related to paella, is Cajun by way of the Caribbean Islands. The Spanish residents mixed native ingredients with stock and rice. The Atakapa tribe of the Southeastern U.S. contributed the name: The phrase “Sham, pal ha! Ya!” means “Be full, not skinny! Eat Up!,” the equivalent of “Bon appétit!” Here’s a recipe.
And gumbalaya (photo #1)?
After the widespread popularity of the cronut, Chef Mike Valentine of Ford’s Oyster House in Greenville, South Carolina thought it would be fun to create a mash-up of the two Cajun classics (photo #1).
RECIPE #1: FORD’S GUMBALAYA
Ingredients For 6 Servings
4 tablespoons butter
½ cup flour
3 cups chicken stock
1/3 cup green peppers, diced
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup onion, diced
2 bay leaves
¼ teaspoon oregano
¼ tsp dried thyme
2 teaspoons hot sauce (Chef Mike uses Crystal brand)
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning*
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound chicken boneless skinless breasts
1 pound andouille† sausage (photos #4 and #5)
Plus
2 baguettes, cut into long slices and toasted (see photo below)
Jambalaya Sauce (recipe below)
Preparation
1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a roasting pan and cook for 20 minutes. Let it stand for five minutes after taking it out of the oven, then cut into half inch pieces.
2. COOK andouille sausage in the oven for 8 minutes at 350°F. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
3. PLACE butter and flour in large saucepan. Turn on medium heat and cook while stirring constantly, until it becomes a light chocolate color. ADD green peppers, celery, onion, chicken, andouille sausage and bay leaves.
4. ADD chicken stock, stirring constantly so the roux fully incorporates with the stock.
5. ADD black pepper, cayenne pepper, Creole seasoning, hot sauce, oregano and thyme. Let the gumbo cook for 15 minutes. Add salt as needed.
RECIPE #2: JAMBALAYA SAUCE
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup celery, diced
¼ cup onion, diced
¼ cup bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon hot sauce
3 cups basic marinara sauce
Salt to taste
2 cups cooked white rice
Preparation
1. PLACE olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add celery, onion and bell pepper and cook for 5-6 minutes.
2. ADD garlic, fresh thyme, oregano, cayenne, Creole seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce. Lastly, add the marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Salt to taste.
3. ADD cooked rice to jambalaya sauce; combine thoroughly.
4. SERVE the gumbo in bowl with a heaping scoop of jambalaya/rice mixture and a side of toasted French bread. Option: Garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne and thyme (see photo #1).
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[1] Ford’s Gumbalaya recipe combines the best of gumbo and jambalaya (photo © Ford’s Oyster House | Greenville, South Carolina [now closed]).
[2] A classic Louisiana gumbo (photo © Mackenzie Ltd).
[3] Jambalaya. Here’s the recipe from Gimme Some Oven (photo © Gimme Some Oven).
[4] Andouille sausage from D’Artagnan (photo © D’Artagnan).
[5] Cooked and sliced andouille sausage (photo Wikipedia).
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