Wondering if gumbo is Cajun or Creole? Gumbo is perhaps the signature dish of both cuisines. Creole gumbo has a tomato base and is more of a soup, while Cajun gumbo has a roux base and is more of a stew.
Jim’s Place Grille in Collierville, TN has one of my favorite Cajun versions. Their seafood gumbo is rich and delicious thanks to its dark and flavorful roux.
Jim’s Place owner James Taras says the Seafood Gumbo has been a signature item on the menu for decades.
He shared a few tips for making a gumbo at home.
The Roux
The number one tip for making a great gumbo is a consistent roux. James says they use flour, salted butter, and the all-important ingredient of ground sassafras leaves. For the sassafras leaves, he loves the balance and mildness of Zatarain’s Gumbo File.
A Key Vegetable
James says cut okra is a must for a great batch of gumbo. Don’t not use it.
A Medley of Seafood
A sweet and savory medley of shellfish - including crab claw meat, crawfish, bay scallops, shrimp and oysters – are the main players in Jim’s Place’s famous gumbo.
How to serve it?
Ladle the gumbo into the bowl and top with a scoop of white rice for a tasty meal.
This is Jennifer Chandler with The Weekly Dish. Bon Appetit!
For more information on Jim’s Place Grille, visit jimsplacegrille.com.
