Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo with Cayenne Corn Muffin Croutons

Gumbo with Cayenne Corn Muffin Croutons - Seriously Soupy

 

With Mardi Gras just days away I thought it was finally a time that I tried to make gumbo. More of a stew, this thick medley of chicken, shrimp and turkey (can also sub for andouille sausage) was a fun meal to experiment with whether you are in New Orleans or are just looking for a spicy and hearty soup to test out. Having never made gumbo before I looked at various recipes and took ingredients from each to craft my own Cajun treat. In addition to the various meats I added carrots, peppers - both red and green, onions, celery, okra, and chili and cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes that gave the soup a nice kick. For the corn muffins, I cheated and used a box but I added various spices (cayenne and chili pepper) in the mix for a spicy crouton that worked really well with this hearty soup.
 

Gumbo with Cayenne Corn Muffin Croutons

Ingredients:
2-3 cups of water  
2 chicken breast (boneless and skinless) 
1/2 pound of turkey meat
1/4 cup olive oil 
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
3-4 green onions, chopped up
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped  
2-3 carrots, chopped   
3 stalks celery chopped 

3 tablespoons of flour   

1/4 bunch parsley, chopped
1/4 bunch dill, stems and leaves, coarsely chopped, plus chopped leaves for garnish 
1 (14-ounce can) stewed tomatoes with juice
2 cups frozen sliced okra
1/2 pound shrimp- (I used frozen shrimp)
2-3 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon chili pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Cut up the onions, green onions and garlic and add them to a medium-sized soup pot with some olive oil. Let cook on a low heat and cover. Cut up the peppers, celery, carrots, okra and add them to the pot, along with the flour, two cups of water, bay leaves, parsley and dill and stir together. Add the tomato sauce and cover. Let cook for 30 minutes. In a separate pot, cook the turkey with any leftover onions (about 15 minutes). Cut up the chicken and add it to the pot, along with the turkey, shrimp, salt, and pepper. Cover and let cook for another 45 to an hour minutes, checking on the gumbo periodically. Turn off the flame, serve and top with a corn muffin crouton.

How do you make your gumbo?
Seriously Soupy Serena