re: What odd ingredients do you add to your gumbo?

I don't think gumbos with all of the other suggested herbs are bad. They just don't taste like gumbo to me. They taste like Italian soup with a roux.

quote:

---

Why do you associate the flavors of these herbs with Italian food?

---

Because I most often use them in foods I associate with an Italian aspect.

I started eating gumbo when I lived in Lafayette as a child so that flavor is the one I'm drawn to and there were no herby gumbos in Acadiana when I ate it. There are variations in Acadiana, as well. Some don't use celery. Some use onion only. The theme, though, for what, in my mind, is "authentic" gumbo is that it doesn't have or need a lot of additional flavors in it. It's really a simple dish. Once you start adding all other flavors, it becomes something else to me. May as well throw in some rosemary and oregano.

It's hard to explain but when I take a bit of gumbo with those herbs in it, my palate sort of gets a shock of disappointment. Someone who feels the need for herbs might feel the same way if they ate mine.

Do you put all those herbs in your brown gravies for roast, pork chops and the like?

I grow Thai basil and use that in Thai things, what little Thai dishes I've made. You're correct that it's not solely an Italian herb, but it sure ain't a Cajun one.

You like gumbo with lots of layers. I like it Cajun style. Enjoy!

On that, I disagree, Mouton! You're eating a Yankee version of some sort!

Happy New Year, Mr Balls!

I add soy sauce to a shrimp and crab meat gumbo if I don't have okra in it.

Also, my PawPaw use to make a roux with shake and bake pork chop breading.

Pee pee on PP if that's the case, his version that I make has no bay, basil or thyme. This is the one I use as a guide. Doesn't have okra either. Must be stew.

LINK

Never said gumbo couldn't vary Otis. I said the way I like it. Go have another drink.

You have a child's palate.

What about Marcelle Bienvenu ? Known as the queen of Cajun cooking, she is author of "Who's your mama, are you Catholic , and can you make a roux? among other cookbooks. She is from St Martinville and she uses bay leaf and thyme.

quote:

---

She is from St Martinville and she uses bay leaf and thyme.

---

sounds like a solid, rustic spaghetti sauce.