Okra Gumbo - Vegetarian

I ate a lot of delicious gumbo growing up in Louisiana and it seems like everyone had their own way of making it unique. I didn't get into cooking until after I moved out of Louisiana so I didn't spend much time watching my family cook. and learning their ways and I totally regret it. 

 

 This was my first try and making gumbo and since the b/f doesn't eat meat I decided to see how a vegetarian gumbo would turn out. I know I should have cooked the roux much longer but I started cooking dinner very late and just gave up way too soon so make sure you have a good 45 minutes to make the roux until it is brown. I still loved the taste of my gumbo but I do wish it was darker. 

 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 cup butter or vegetable oil
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning 
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, diced
• 3 cups cut okra
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp gumbo file (optional)
• 32 oz no-chicken broth 
• 2 cups of cooked rice

Heat the butter or oil in a large pot over medium heat then add in the flour and stir constantly for at least 15 minutes. Add in the Cajun seasoning and continue to stir for another 15-20 minutes or until roux is a very dark brown. 

Then add in the onion, garlic, bell peppers, celery, okra, salt and gumbo file and cook for 5 minutes. Add in the broth, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for atleast 15 minutes or longer. 

While the soup is cooking make your rice. Serve warm over rice with a sprinkle of gumbo file. and enjoy! 


*I bought some lump crab meat or myself and threw it on top of my serving and next time I will have to add in some shrimp and make a good seafood gumbo.