Gumbo Z'Herbes With Perfect Rice

Serves: 2

Manley Abshire

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

56

Sweetness

35

Sourness

46

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Sugar

Directions:

1

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy extra-large pot over medium-high heat

2

Add ham; sauté until browned, about 10 minutes

3

Transfer to bowl and reserve

4

Melt butter in same large pot over medium-high heat

5

Add leeks and celery

6

Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes

7

Add green onions, parsley, and garlic

8

Sauté until onions wilt, about 2 minutes

9

Reduce heat to medium-low

10

Add filé powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper

11

Stir 3 minutes

12

Add collard greens, mustard greens, watercress, spinach, and sugar

13

Toss to combine

14

Add 2 cups broth

15

Cover and cook until all greens are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes

16

Remove pot from heat

17

Working in batches of 2 cups, puree greens in processor, scraping down sides occasionally

18

Transfer puree to bowl

19

Heat 10 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat

20

Add flour; whisk until smooth

21

Cook until roux is peanut butter color, whisking often, about 7 minutes

22

Whisk in remaining 8 cups broth and bring to boil, whisking often

23

Add greens puree, then ham

24

Simmer gumbo 10 minutes to blend flavors

25

Season to taste with salt and pepper

26

(Can be made 1 day ahead

27

Cool slightly; chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

28

Rewarm over medium heat before serving

29

) Mound 1/4 cup warm rice in center of each bowl

30

Ladle gumbo around rice

31

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy extra-large pot over medium-high heat

32

Add ham; sauté until browned, about 10 minutes

33

Transfer to bowl and reserve

34

Melt butter in same large pot over medium-high heat

35

Add leeks and celery

36

Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes

37

Add green onions, parsley, and garlic

38

Sauté until onions wilt, about 2 minutes

39

Reduce heat to medium-low

40

Add filé powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper

41

Stir 3 minutes

42

Add collard greens, mustard greens, watercress, spinach, and sugar

43

Toss to combine

44

Add 2 cups broth

45

Cover and cook until all greens are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes

46

Remove pot from heat

47

Working in batches of 2 cups, puree greens in processor, scraping down sides occasionally

48

Transfer puree to bowl

49

Heat 10 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat

50

Add flour; whisk until smooth

51

Cook until roux is peanut butter color, whisking often, about 7 minutes

52

Whisk in remaining 8 cups broth and bring to boil, whisking often

53

Add greens puree, then ham

54

Simmer gumbo 10 minutes to blend flavors

55

Season to taste with salt and pepper

56

(Can be made 1 day ahead

57

Cool slightly; chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

58

Rewarm over medium heat before serving

59

) Mound 1/4 cup warm rice in center of each bowl

60

Ladle gumbo around rice

61

*A powder made from ground sassafras leaves; available in the spice section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores

62

*A powder made from ground sassafras leaves; available in the spice section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores