Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic , minced
2 cups chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 pound okra , chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 pound cubed beef stew meat ( optional )
8 cups water
1 can whole tomatoes , undrained and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pound andouille sausage , cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 pound crabmeat , flaked
1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 lemon
file powder ( see Note ) ( optional )
Originating in southern Louisiana, Gumbo is a traditional stew that can be traced back to the 18th century. It is a dish that combines different meats, vegetables, and spices to create a flavorful and hearty meal. Big Charlie's Gumbo is a modern take on this classic dish, featuring traditional elements such as okra, sausage, and shrimp. It's a dish that can be enjoyed on its own or eaten with a side of rice or bread. Plus, it's perfect for entertaining a group of people or feeding your family during a busy week.

Instructions

1.Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, celery, and okra. Cook and stir until vegetables are soft for about 5 minutes.
2.In a separate skillet, melt 1/4 cup of butter. Add flour and cook until it turns into a brown roux. Set aside.
3.In the same pot with vegetables, add the stew meat and cook until it's browned. Then add 8 cups of water, tomatoes, sugar, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Stir well.
4.Add the roux, sausage, crabmeat, and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5.Add in the shrimp and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until they are pink.
6.Squeeze half a lemon into the pot and add Worcestershire sauce.
7.Serve hot with optional file powder sprinkled on top.

PROS

Big Charlie’s Gumbo is a hearty and flavorful stew, perfect for feeding a crowd at any gathering.
It’s also a one-pot dish, making clean up a breeze.
The blend of spices and meats make for a delicious and comforting meal.

CONS

This recipe can be time-consuming to prepare.
Additionally, if you have shellfish allergies, you should avoid this dish as it contains both crabmeat and shrimp.
Lastly, since it is a stew, it may not be the healthiest option for those looking to watch their calorie or fat intake.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Although Big Charlie’s Gumbo isn’t the healthiest dish, it does contain a variety of ingredients that can provide some health benefits. For example, shrimp are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals such as iodine, selenium, and zinc. Okra is also known to be a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and folate. Finally, spices such as cayenne pepper have been linked to reducing inflammation and improving digestion.

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