Best Gumbo this side of the "Golden Triangle'

July 25 2009-07-25

Being from the Beaumont, Port Author, Orange area I have to say they make pretty good gumbo there.  Being so close to Louisiana, us Southeast Texans always have to prove ourselves when it come to gumbo & I've brought that chip on my shoulder all the way to the Hill Country.  No shortcuts, I make the roux from scratch and cook the shrimp to order the way it ought to be.  I use only fresh multicolored bell peppers with fresh chopped red onions, celery, okra & green onion.  I then season it with sea salt, fresh cracked pepper & just the right amount of Cayenne Pepper & Worchestershire.  There are no mixes or cheater ingredients with this gumbo.  We serve it with sauteed shrimp a la minute & basmati rice cooked fresh with bay leaf, kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper.  Then finish  it with some good old gumbo file.  Sop it up with some sweet toasted Jalapeno Bread!