Mardi Gras: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo & Pimento Mac and Cheese

March 8, 2011 by DiningAndDishing

Happy Mardi Gras! Happy Fat Tuesday! I hope you’re up to something fun today.

We’re doing a big pot luck at work with Mardi Gras-themed food. Anna (my co-worker/roomie) and I wanted to cook a nice supper for our visitor last night as well, so we decided to combine the two into one big cook-fest!

First up, gumbo. I’ve never made gumbo before so it was fun to try it out. The dish is fairly simple but time-consuming, which worked out fine since we prepped it on Sunday. It was a rainy, yucky day so staying inside and cooking with a big glass of wine sounded perfectly okay to me!

The recipe we used can be found here. After tasting it last night, I can assure you it’s a good one!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Gumbo:

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 lb. andouille or other spicy smoked sausages, cut into 1-inch slices

1/2 lb. okra, cut crosswise into thick slices

1 red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken broth

1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced plum tomatoes, with juice

1/2 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, plus more, to taste

Steamed white rice for serving

Start by chopping all of your veggies and slicing the sausages. This is rather time-consuming. If your name is Beth, it’s best to strategically take a phone call while Anna does all the work.

While we waited for the chicken to defrost, we drank some wine and watched some Friends episodes. This is not an essential step, but highly recommended for maximum relaxation. Next, cook the chicken in a bit of olive oil until lightly brown.

Transfer the chicken to your slow cooker and add the sausages. Then scatter the okra, bell pepper, celery and onion on top.

Then make the roux and pour over the vegetables, chicken and sausages.

Stir to combine all ingredients.

SO beautiful right!? We set the crock pot overnight and when I woke up in the AM, the whole house smelled DIVINE. The dish went in the fridge and then was warmed while part II of dinner was cooking yesterday evening.

We have been DROOLING over the latest issue of Bon Appétit ever since it was delivered. It’s an issue devoted to mac and cheese recipes! And what could be more Southern than Pimento Mac and Cheese? So that is exactly what I made.

Although it smelled amazing and the flavor was perfection, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of cheesy sauciness in this dish. In my opinion, mac and cheese is meant to be totally decadent so this was a bit lacking! I would totally make this again but with much. more. cheese.

And there you have it! You know, just the usual weeknight dinner with left-overs for the office. See you tomorrow!

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Posted in Beth | Tagged Chicken, Dinner, gumbo, mac and cheese, weekend, wine | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on March 8, 2011 at 12:57 PM | Reply Heather

I love the new banner. And okra.

Mmmmm!
on March 8, 2011 at 1:28 PM | Reply Natalia - a side of simple

Love the banner! It’s very classy and vintage looking I also really want a crockpot now for this gumbo. I can practically smell it cooking!
on March 8, 2011 at 2:14 PM | Reply LauraJayne

This post totally inspired me to make gumbo (mine is vegetarian) for dinner! It is the perfect Mardi Gras meal!
on March 8, 2011 at 2:33 PM | Reply Megan (Braise The Roof)

I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras last year and I’m getting all antsy to celebrate, but I’m stuck at the office! I’m not gonna lie, I’m sort of afraid of okra in non-fried situations, but your gumbo looks great!
on March 8, 2011 at 2:48 PM | Reply Weighting For 50

I love your “cooking with a big glass of wine” comment. Life is too short not to have wine sometimes on a weeknight. Happy Fat Tuesday, hope its a good one.
on March 8, 2011 at 3:05 PM | Reply Erica D

I wish I had the chance to eat more okra. Colorado doesn’t seem to be into it, and in Jordan all of it was pickled (eeeew!). Just one more reason why I should head south
on March 8, 2011 at 3:41 PM | Reply Lisa @ Thrive Style

That looks awesome! I’m not doing anything for Mardi Gras…but I should be
on March 8, 2011 at 3:57 PM | Reply Green Dog Wine

YUM YUM YUM! This looks great! Also – I’m about to admit to being a bad friend – but I swear I do NOT remember you saying this…Did you get an SLR? If so – you are rockin it! If not – you are doing something with your camera that makes it look like you are rocking and SLR! (sorry for being a bad friend!)
- on March 8, 2011 at 4:32 PM | Reply DiningAndDishing
  
  ha yes i did get one! no more blog humiliation when i hang out with you fancy camera ladies .
on March 8, 2011 at 5:09 PM | Reply Natalie @ Will Jog For Food

That looks SO good! I’m saving this recipe I should have made Gumbo in my slow cooker, duh! I ended up making white chicken chili this morning.

Mac & Cheese should be super cheesy! Bring on the cheese sauce!
on March 8, 2011 at 5:14 PM | Reply biz319

I’ve actually only had fried ocra – not sure I would like it like that – and I’ve never made gumbo – it looks great Beth!
on March 8, 2011 at 6:10 PM | Reply Simply Life

oh my gosh, this gumbo looks incredible!…and I love the new header!
on March 8, 2011 at 6:27 PM | Reply balancejoyanddelicias

So that dish is called gumbo? So cute!

It’s funny the friends episode part, I’d watch sex and city instead for total relaxation and some laughs!
on March 8, 2011 at 11:14 PM | Reply Christine @ Merf In Progress

Your gumbo looks delicious. Leave it to Williams & Sonoma!!! I’m definitely going to have to try that. Once I can eat again :-/
on March 9, 2011 at 8:34 AM | Reply Heather

I’ve never made or eaten okra before. It kinda creeps me out that it’s gooey.
And I agree with mac-n-cheese. If I’m gonna splurge, it better be cheesy goodness!!
on March 9, 2011 at 9:15 AM | Reply Erica

What a fun and festive meal! I’ve never made gumbo – but it looks yummy. I wish I liked Pimento cheese! Its so big down here…but I do love mac n cheese. Hope you’re doing well.

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