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What to serve with gumbo

post #1 of 14
4/20/09 at 2:10pm
Thread Starter 
I really need some suggestions on what to serve with gumbo (chicken, sausage, and shrimp) and rice. Starters, sides, dessert? Would really appreciate any advice you can give me.
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post #2 of 14
4/20/09 at 2:17pm
Since it is quite filling . I would go with a creative salad, no side as everything is in the gumbo. For dessert home made Praline basket with vanilla ice cream inside. Bread New Orleans Sourdough.
CHEFED
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post #3 of 14
4/20/09 at 2:38pm
I usually serve mine with a slice of cornbread. I like a cornbread that isn't too sweet and then drizzle a light bit of honey on top of mine (my wife really dislikes honey:(). At work I'll add some jalapeños. But if corn is in season I'll add some of the corn off of the cob to the batter and then place it in the cast iron pan on the grill. I'll place it for indirect heating and then place some corn (in husk) over the fire. The aroma that the cornbread picks up from the corn, in husk, cooked on the grill is pleasing to the nose as much as the palette.


dan

Enjoy the Food!

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post #4 of 14
4/20/09 at 2:45pm
That sounds great! I figure if I leave now, and drive straight through, I could be there in about 15 hours. Is dinner at around 6:30 tomorrow evening? By the way, HubbyDearest loves gumbo too, so I have to bring him with me. :bounce:
"The pressure's on...let's cook something!"
 
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post #5 of 14
4/20/09 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the great ideas. I know I can do the cornbread and corn on the grill. I have never done praline baskets but will learn tomorrow!
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post #6 of 14
4/20/09 at 6:29pm
I'm curious why you think you have to serve anything with it?

Gumbo & white rice is a hearty, pretty filling meal that really doesn't need any accompanyments.

If you must have a starter, perhaps a Shrimp Remouldade? Or maybe Crawfish Boulettes? Or Oysters Bienville?

I'm not big on desserts, myself. But I can supply a long list of desserts likely to be found on a cajun/creole table if you really need one. But Ed's suggestion for praline baskets filled with ice cream is as good as any, and better than some.
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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post #7 of 14
4/20/09 at 6:40pm
Apps: Crawfish balls, boudin balls, oysters work, shrimp remoulade....phenominal on fried green tomatoes.



Salad.....Green, Italian, etc.....viniagrette with viniager or lemon

rolls/cornbread

Strawberry Crepes Fitzgerald
Lemon Ice Cream or italian ice
heavier, but southern and tasty.....sweet potato crepes with bourbon praline sauce
cooking with all your senses.....
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post #8 of 14
4/20/09 at 8:29pm

Here in Louisiana

here in town (Lafayette) it is typically served with a side of potato salad and maybe some buttered french bread thats been toasted. Most asked for desert is bread pudding with a burbon sauce.....at least among the locals.
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post #9 of 14
4/20/09 at 9:33pm
When you get right down to it, gumbo is basically a rich sauce that's just barely thin enough to call a soup. So I'd stay away from anything that needs sauce.

Starter: raw oysters (or clams, scallops, whatever)

Side: simple green salad, dressed with just salt, pepper, oil, and lemon

Crusty bread helps mop up all the soup.

For dessert, I like sweet potato pecan pie, but any kind of clean, intensely-flavored dessert ought to work just fine.
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post #10 of 14
4/21/09 at 6:25am
Paul Prudhomme's first cookbook has gumbo with a scoop of potato salad instead of rice. Opolusas (sp, know it's spelled oh so wrong) is not that far from Lafayette......

There's a salad in Baton Rouge with parm, blue cheese, lemon, parsley and lettuce....supreme, surprise, something.....anyway, several seafood restaurants serve it....nice balance.

Bet azaelas are blooming now. Should be a riot of color in the bayou.
cooking with all your senses.....
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post #11 of 14
4/21/09 at 6:38am
I'm pretty sure it's etouffee he serves with rice, not gumbo.
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post #12 of 14
4/21/09 at 6:45am
Thread Starter 
I decided corn bread and corn would be too heavy so will go with a light salad, french bread and the praline cups and ice cream. Thank you all for responding so quickly.
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post #13 of 14
4/21/09 at 6:06pm

Azaleas.....

shroomgirl, the azaleas have come and gone a few weeks ago, now the heat of the summer is beginning...not looking forward to it. Opelousas isn't too far from us about 20 miles. I haven't seen anyone put the potato salad right into the gumbo, at least not locally, I have seen people go nuts when a place runs out of potato salad tho. I am not a gumbo eater but hubby will usually have a go at it, he prefers the one made with chicken, sausage and shrimp to all others here.
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post #14 of 14
4/21/09 at 10:01pm
New Orleans was my home for many years and for me its all about some garlic butter and french bread. We never made sides really it was the meal itself! If you are looking for the taste of LA. I suggest maybe a salad and some bread pudding w/ rum sauce for dessert.
Happy taste buds
Tyler
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