With the Super Bowl only days away it’s time to start planning the buffet for your Super Bowl party. Gumbo is a stew or soup originating in Louisiana which is popular across the Gulf Coast of the United States and into the U.S. South . What better way to honor the New Orleans Saints than this delicious gumbo to serve your guests.

1 cup oil
1 cup flour
1 small onions, chopped
1 bell peppers, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 quarts chicken stock
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, or to taste
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 large chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
1 pound of smoked sausage, cut into small pieces
1 bag of large shrimp
In amounts as desired….
(green onions), tops only, chopped
chopped parsley

Season the chicken with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning and brown quickly. Brown the sausage, pour off fat and reserve meats.
In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil and cook the flour in the oil over medium to high heat , stirring constantly, until the roux reaches the color of an old penny. (you have to cook this for a while!)

Add the vegetables and stir quickly. This cooks the vegetables and also stops the roux from cooking further. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes.

Add the chicken stock, seasonings, chicken and sausage. Bring to a boil, then cook for about one hour.

Add the shrimp (dethawed if frozen) green onion and parsley, and heat for 15-20 more minutes. Serve over rice in large shallow bowls. Serve with lots of hot, crispy French bread.