Gumbo question

What kind of gumbo? Chicken and Sausage?

In addition to tomatoes, use okra. The slimeyness counteracts the graininess.

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In addition to tomatoes, use okra.

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Doyle, this is a joke, BTW

It sounds like your roux is not incorporating the fluid of the pot adequately. Try giving it a "beating" with a whisk to declump(made up word). it.

You might want to try adding your roux to your boiling stock a spoon at a time while whisking.

Boil dat water hard wen mixin your roux in

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sauce ends up grainy

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not sure what this means but, I would assume that you need to cook your roux done a little longer.

It just seems like the roux and the chicken stock won't combine. I had the stock boiling very hot and added the canned roux spoon by spoon. When I did my own roux, I did reverse and added chicken stock cup by cup. Both times they didn't mold into one gravy like texture.

I've made many a gumbo, and have never added roux to the stock. I always make my roux. once i get the color i want, i add the trinity and garlic. Let cook until tender, then add my stock. My stock is usually done the day before. so it is either cold or room temps when i add. Once the stock is added i stir up the roux/stock. Once i have it mixed well, i add my meat and spices and then bring to a boil. Once to a boil, stir, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.

I've never had a problem with it being grainy or not incorporating well. I don't think the stock needs to be "boiling". Mine is usually simmering and I had the roux with trinity having been sauteed in it, spoonful by spoonful, stirring with each addition. I add the roux as soon as I'm done simmering the trinity in it so it's also hot. I don't see a problem adding cool roux to hot stock, but I wouldn't add roux to cool stock. I think you can add cool stock to warm roux slowly without issue.

The reason I add roux to stock is because I make the gumbo in a large pot rather than in the cast iron skillet in which I make the roux. My roux usually fills up a big fryer skillet. No room for any stock.