5 Ways to Make a Cajun Roux

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE F&D BOARD!

I've been compiling some notes on gumbo and with the recent discussions, I thought I'd post this:


Traditional Stovetop Roux

This is the old-fashioned or traditional method for making roux:

In a heavy skillet (I like to use my Cast-Iron Skillet) over medium heat, heat vegetable shortening or oil (or fat of your choice) until hot.

Add flour gradually, stirring or whisking to combine with the shortening or oil.

After adding all the flour, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, about 45 to 60 minutes or until roux ranges from a peanut butter color to a dark brown (red brown or color of milk chocolate) and has a nutlike odor (it will be very thick and pasty).

This process takes some time, depending on how high the heat on your stove is. The slower, the better, but be ready to remove skillet from the heat and stir more rapidly if the roux appears to be getting too hot. If you stop stirring - the flour will burn. Never walk away from your roux. If you see black specks in the roux, you've ruined it. Dump it out and start over. The secret to getting perfect roux is to take your time and stir constantly.


Paul Prudhomme Method (from Louisiana Kitchen)

“The usual proportion of oil to flour is fifty-fifty.

Roux can be made in advance, cooled and then stored in an airtight jar for several days, in the refrigerator or at room temperature. If roux is made ahead, pour off excess oil from the surface and reheat (preferred), or let it return to room temperature before using.

In general, light and medium-brown roux are used in sauces or gravies for dark, heavy meats such as beef, with game such as elk and venison, and with dark-meat fowl such as duck, geese and blackbirds. They give a wonderful, toasted nutty flavor—just the right enhancement—to these sauces and gravies. Dark red-brown and black roux are used in sauces and gravies for sweet, light, white meats such as pork, rabbit, veal, and all kinds of freshwater and saltwater fish and shellfish. In addition, black roux are best to use in gumbos because the darkest roux result in the thinnest, best-tasting gumbos of all; but it takes practice to make black roux without burning them, and dark red-brown roux are certainly acceptable for any gumbo.

You’ll notice that I make exceptions to these general guidelines in some recipes. These exceptions simply reflect my preference for the flavor of a particular roux with the combined flavors of the other ingredients in certain dishes. (For example, I prefer the flavor of a medium-brown roux in Grillades and Grits—a veal dish—and in Sticky Chicken, rather than a darker roux.)

My approach to roux derives from the tradition of Cajun cooks, who view roux as being essentially of two types—medium brown and black; and who also classify meats as basically of two types—heavy, dark, somewhat bitter ones, and light, white, sweet ones. Traditionally, Cajun cooks use light roux with dark meats and dark roux with light meats. This is because they know intuitively, whether they can verbalize it or not, that these particular combinations lead to wonderful-tasting food. Working within this tradition, I’ve developed variations and given you in this book the roux-meat combinations which I think are best. You’ll find that as you gain more experience and skill in making roux, you’ll want to experiment with the endless combinations of roux colors and the flavors of other ingredients you’re using—especially meats—to find those combinations that excite your taste buds the most!

Several words of advice are essential:

1. Cooked roux is called Cajun napalm in my restaurant’s kitchen because it is extremely hot and sticks to your skin; so be very careful to avoid splashing it on you; it’s best to use a long-handled metal whisk or wooden spoon.

2. Always begin with a very clean skillet or pot—preferably one that is heavy, such as cast iron (and never a nonstick type). If possible, use a skillet with flared sides because this makes stirring easier and thus makes it less likely the roux will burn. In addition, use a large enough skillet so that the oil does not fill it by more than one-fourth of its capacity.

3. The oil should be smoking hot before the flour is added.

4. Once the oil is heated, stir in the flour gradually (about a third at a time) and stir or whisk quickly and constantly to avoid burning the mixture. (Flour has moisture in it, and adding it to hot oil often creates steam—another good reason for using long-handled whisks or spoons.)

5. If black specks appear in the roux as it cooks, it has burned; discard it (place it in a heatproof container to cool before discarding), then start the roux over again—c’est la vie!

6. As soon as the roux reaches the desired color, remove it from the heat; stir in the vegetables, which stop the browning process and enhance the taste of the finished dish, and continue stirring until the roux stops getting darker (at least 3 to 5 minutes).

7. While cooking roux (bringing it to the desired color), if you feel it is darkening too fast, immediately remove it from the heat and continue whisking constantly until you have control of it.

8. Care and concentration are essential for you to be successful with this fast method of making roux. Especially the first few times you make a roux, be certain that any possible distractions—including children—are under control. In addition, have all cooking utensils and required vegetables or seasoning mixtures prepared ahead of time and near at hand before you start cooking.”



Oven Method, with Oil

Preheat the oven to 350 to 375 degrees F. Start the roux on the stovetop to get it going, preferably in a cast iron pot, by heating the oil to medium high. Then reduce heat to medium and gradually whisk in the flour, a little at a time, until fully incorporated.
Carefully transfer the pot into the hot oven and cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring about every 20 minutes (just set your timer and stir every time it goes off), until the roux turns a deep, dark, chocolate brown.


Oven Method – No Oil (from BooDreaux)

Use those aluminum full-sized pans. Put some foil in bottom. Add 4 cups of flour in it. Place in a 375 degree oven and every 15 minutes or so stir it up. When it gets to the color you want, take it out.


Microwave Method

Use the largest bowl you have that can fit into the microwave because as it cooks, the roux expands. Cook the oil on high for 10 minutes. Stir in the flour until no lumps remain and the mixture is smooth. ...

OR

Mix oil and flour together at the start and microwave for 2 mins, stir, then 1 mins, stir, 1 mins, stir, etc until you get the desired color.