It’s becomingly increasingly and depressingly apparent that things are only going to get a lot, lot worse before they get any better in the Gulf Coast. The good news is that there are agencies who have stepped up and are already helping clean up beaches, swamps, and wildlife that have been affected by oil. The other good news is that you can help!
For every person who posts a comment somewhere on this blog and becomes a fan of my facebook page (link to the right) before this Tuesday, June 8 at midnight, I will donate one whole dollar to the LA Gulf Response, a coalition of non-profit organizations dedicated to cleaning up the oily mess. You can find more information about the Gulf Response organizations at their website. I encourage you to make a donation on your own. Obviously the point of this is to spread the word, so please send to your friends and everyone else you know–the more comments, the greater the impact!
Anyway, to pair with the donation to help the Gulf Coast, I made a deliciously cajun meal: gumbo. It just didn’t seem right to have any meat in it though, since this is a post to help the environment, so this is a vegetarian gumbo, also known as green gumbo or gumbo z’herbes. It’s traditionally served during Lent, but you could absolutely swap out some of the greens in exchange for chicken, sausage, or shrimp and it would be delicious.
Put the greens in a large pot and fill with about two inches of water. Cover, bring to a boil and let simmer for about 30 minutes, until tender. In the meantime, combine the oil and flour. Cook over medium low heat and stir continuously (there are horror stories of burned roux from people who didn’t stir it) until it turns a dark reddish brown, almost the color of chocolate. This can take over 30 minutes, so be prepared to get tired of stirring.
Add the vegetables and garlic to the roux and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the cooked greens and their liquid (this has become your stock) and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Add the bay leaves, thyme, tomatoes, a few drops of worchestershire and lemon juice and let cook for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour and a half. Stir in the parsley and green onions after you've turned off the heat, adjust for seasoning (lots of salt) and serve immediately over rice. Yum!
Enjoy the meal and please comment or join the facebook page–I look forward to hearing from everyone who reads these words!
Can I have some of your gumbo??? ๐ ๐
I can’t wait for the sausage version! ๐
But this was still very good, I recommend you try making it. Go oil spill cleanup!
Your pics look delish! This is such a great idea Beth!!!
Beth, you are awesome. Not only as a cook but as a person. I love you. Won’t cook any of this, but still appreciate your efforts. I’d be happy to eat anything you make though!!
I’m bringing over some ball jars for the next batch!
What a cool way to raise money for a great cause and the gumbo in a word, yum!!!
This looks fantastic! Courtney was right, can’t wait to see more! Yum! Thank you for your dedication to the Gulf, it’s a very important mission for all if us involved to help.
Wow, two-fer! Yummy food andddd a good cause! You rock!!
Looks yummy,I will be trying your Gumbo. Thanks for your efforts to help out the Gulf. Such a sad situation.
Yum! Thank you for making it vegetarian too!
This is awesome, Beth! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your support!! As a Louisiana resident, we appreciate your contributions and awareness to this issue! As we say here in the bayou state, through both the good and tough times…. Laissez les bon temps roulez!
Thanks from Louisiana…we appreciate your help…recipe looks good…I, too, love gumbo, with or without meat…
This is awesome..the gumbo and the donation! Thank you!!!
Yummm-bo!
Your gumbo was great! Thumbs up
sounds delicious.
Good food and social consciousness in one amazing ‘swing’ (GO Softball Wildcats!). I’m already a fan… here’s my comment.
Hey you do-gooder, the least I can do is post a comment!
Here’s my comment, where’s your dollar? Very proud of you. Can’t wait to see you!
xo,
Christy
I like it!
Recipe looks delicious! Thanks for doing what you can to help those in the Gulf.
Thanks for the great Gumbo recipe. I did not know about the vegetarian tradition! I love learning something new. And more importantly thanks for your innovative fundraiser! What’s not to love about that!?! Keep up the good work.
Can’t wait to make this…always looking for vegetarian meals…thanks!
i too hope the golf does not get much worse:-( thanks for shaing the recipe!
I found my way to your blog to add to the contribution towards clean-up in the Gulf…thanks for your work in this area. I may have also learned how to make rice without a glitch!
Dear Beth,
I am hungry.
Maybe I will make gumbo too.
Signed
The girl who is sad because the gulf coast is drowning in oil
Thanks Beth!
What if BP found this link and had their entire staff post something, cleaning you out and getting them off the hook? They don’t deserve any delicious Gumbo.
Dear Beth,
This gumbo recipe looks yummy. I especially like that it’s vegetarian, but if you want meat, chicken and shrimp can easily be added. I will definitely try this dish out. Thanks!
I love gumbo. what a great idea!!!!!!!! And how very appropriate to celebrate the southern traditions during the lazy days of summer. Can’t wait to make it.
I am so hungry for lunch now. I hope that is what you are serving ๐
Great idea Beth!!!
I’m hungry now!! Go feed little David with this!!!! ๐
yummy! i could go for dinner!
Looks amazing, I am inspired to take an hour lunch at work tonight.
That looks delicious!
Looks awesome! Can I just add sausage to the recipe?
I WAS trying to hold off on my lunch, now im starving. Looks great!
Looks great! I wish i had this for dinner instead what i brought for work!
I could eat pounds of this
hmmmm, it looks good EXCEPT its missing okra! I think there is a law in bayou that requires gumbo to have okra, Did you freeze any to bring with you?