I can't find the "main ingredient" of gumbo at the grocery store

[Eeezee]

At first I was looking for Okra, but I couldn't find file powder or roux.

They both stock turmeric but were out of stock when I went.

Will my gumbo still taste good if I throw the rest of the ingredients together? Pearl onions, chicken, peppers, etc. etc.

I have some curry powder, think that might do the trick?

 

[lizardth]

google a microwave roux recipe it is very easy to make

 

[lokiju]

Move to GA, it's all over the place.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Traders joes did not have Okra, neither canned, frozen nor fresh. I find that hard to believe. Go to some other grocery store. Forget powder crap, buy whole Okra. you don't make gumbo with out real whole Okra.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

the file is what helps it thicken, doesn't really do much else. If you can find okra, you can add it. The okra will provide a similar effect and flavor.

*edit* keep checking....in Kansas I can find canned or frozen Okra lots of places. Try an Aldi.

 

[minendo]

Make your own roux. It is simple. Roux

 

[spidey07]

You must have a roux, otherwise you'll wind up with water soup.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Baloo
Traders joes did not have Okra, neither canned, frozen nor fresh. I find that hard to believe. Go to some other grocery store. Forget powder crap, but whole Okra. you don't make gumbo with out real whole Okra.

They did not. Could it be because I live in Southern California (ie demand might be lower for okra in a land of sushi restaurants and fast food)? They stock tons of Californian brands of pretty much everything.

I know it won't be real gumbo anymore without okra, but I was wondering if I could still make something that tastes good without it (and looks similar to gumbo I suppose)

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: minendo
Make your own roux. It is simple. Roux

Wow, that is easy. Thanks! I'll try that

 

[Ns1]

On a somewhat related note, is it possible to make a healthy gumbo? or is that an oxymoron

 

[MaxDepth]

Sassafras leaves = file

Trader Joes does not have it?

Do you have a Krogers or a Food Lion in your area? They will have it. You can find the file powder sold also in Mexican stores, too.


As for Gumbo spices sold in cooking kits look for the brand name, Zatarain's. You will find a gumbo box dinner that all you do is add chicken and pork. or shrimp, or whatever you can think of.

For my NC gumbo recipe, I use locally made spicy pork sausage (think brats) and chicken which I grill before adding to the pot. When it is in season, I'll swap the chicken for shrimp. By the way, file is used as a thickening agent and does not impart that much taste.

EDIT: Okra is available in SoCal. Try some of the tiendas or international food markets if you can find it in "whitey's" stores.

EDIT 2: Look for okra in the frozen vegetables section. If they do not have it by itself, then look for it as part of the "stew blend" bags.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Ns1
On a somewhat related note, is it possible to make a healthy gumbo? or is that an oxymoron

Anything with okra in it will cause excessive vomiting in whoever eats it, so I'd say that it's not healthy.

 

[ManyBeers]

Roux

Forget the peppers if you don't want them.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Ns1
On a somewhat related note, is it possible to make a healthy gumbo? or is that an oxymoron

Anything with okra in it will cause excessive vomiting in whoever eats it, so I'd say that it's not healthy.

I think okra is delicious. it's the sausage and the chicken that kills me.

 

[DestinyKnight]

Roux is easy enough to make, it's just flour and fat cooked 30 minutes or so on medium low heat until it is peanut butter or darker color. you just have to watch it and stir constantly.

Okra is usually avaliable frozen at most grocery stores, even on the west coast. Do you have an Albertsons? they usually have it.

File powder is typically sprinkled on the gumbo at the table, just before eating. (at least, thats what Emeril says) You can usually find it next to the cajun seasonings in the spice section.

Without the roux and okra, you basically have a soup or stew, not gumbo. I'm sure it will taste fine though. I wouldn't suggest using curry powder for your gumbo...if you want it spicy, use some cayenne pepper.

 

[angry hampster]

my god I miss okra. I grew up in Tennessee then moved to iowa as a teenager. No one knows what okra even is here. Last time I went to visit my parents in Missouri, we went to Lambert's in Sikeston and she was amazed at how delicious their fried okra is

 

[loup garou]

Curry powder? Turmeric? Roux in a jar?

YIKES

 

[BooGiMaN]

did you check the frozen foods section?