Grandma's German Red Gumbo
My grandmother was the offspring of German and English
immigrants that arrived in Galveston in the early 1900's. Having lived through
the depression, they learned to utilize the local resources for their meals.
Okra, Tomatoes, Onions, and Seafood were readily available and thus this
recipe came to being. We loved this gumbo so much that Grandma served it at
all our special occasions such as birthdays, etc. It is an easy gumbo to make as it requires no roux.
Grandma only used fresh ingredients that came out of grandpa's garden. I have
changed this recipe somewhat to allow for modern, busy folks that don't have
time for a garden.
Feel free to substitute other meats. chicken, sausage, fish, crab etc. all
make excellent gumbos.
Ingredients
The Meats
- 1 lbs. bacon
- 2 lbs. fresh peeled shrimp
- 2 lbs. fresh fish fillets
|
The Veggies
- 1 large onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 tbspn. Vanco minced garlic
- 2 to 3 lbs. okra, sliced
- 1 - 14.5 oz, can diced tomatoes
- 1 - large can tomato sauce
|
The Spices
- 1 or 2 tspn. cummin
- 1 or 2 tspn. cayenne pepper
- 1 tspn. thyme
- 1 tspn. oregeno
- salt to taste
|
Cut the bacon into small pieces about an inch wide. Chop the onion and bell
pepper and set aside. Slice the okra and set it aside.
Brown the bacon in a large pot. Don't drain the bacon fat from the pot.
Throw in all of the veggies and brown them. After the veggies have had a
chance to lightly brown add about half a gallon of water and bring to a low
simmer. Add the spices, tomatoes, tomato sauce then sit back and relax. If you
like a little spice to your food, feel free to chunk in a few sliced
jalapenos.
Check and stir the gumbo regularly, you don't want to burn the veggies to
the bottom of the pot. Continue simmering the gumbo for about 3 hours or until
your backbone feels like it's rubbing a hole in your belly button.
Start a batch of rice and throw the meats into the gumbo. Bring the gumbo
to a boil and stir regularly until the meats are cooked, about 15 to 20
minutes. Remove from the burner and finish preparations with the rice. Serve
and enjoy.
Make a loaf of garlic bread for an added touch, the gumbo broth makes
for some good bread dipping.
Texas Gulf Coast
Fishing
