Gumbo La Pontchartraine
A hearty Louisiana gumbo featuring seafood, chicken, okra, and spices, delivering rich, savory flavors perfect for seafood lovers and those craving a comforting, flavorful stew.
Ingredients
- 1 small stewing hen
- 1 tsp. flour ⓘ
- 2 chopped onions
- 1 c. chopped celery ⓘ
- 2 c. okra ⓘ
- 2 c. tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/3 chopped parsley ⓘ
- 2 lb. shrimp, cooked and deveined ⓘ
- 4 lb. crab claws ⓘ
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 c. chicken stock or water ⓘ
- 1 pinch thyme ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. seasoned salt ⓘ
- 2 doz. oysters ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into serving portions.
- Lightly dredge the chicken in flour and sauté in melted shortening until browned.
- Add chopped onions and celery; cook until soft.
- Add all other ingredients except the okra and oysters.
- Cook until the chicken is tender.
- Add okra and oysters; cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve the gumbo over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider making a homemade roux with equal parts flour and fat until dark brown before adding the chicken. If you don't have fresh okra, frozen can be a good substitute. Shrimp can be swapped with crawfish for a different taste. Adjust the seasoned salt to your preference, especially if using store-bought chicken stock.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo over a scoop of fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious broth. It pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, consider serving with a side of buttery cornbread and a refreshing iced tea.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the gumbo to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw if frozen, and warm gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of water or stock if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Gumbo La Pontchartraine contains roughly 820 calories, with 37g protein, 168g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (430% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (162% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1250mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different seafood in this gumbo?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types of seafood like scallops or fish. Just ensure that the seafood is added towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking, which can make it tough.
What can I substitute for crab claws?
If crab claws aren't available, you can use lump crab meat or even skip the crab entirely and increase the amount of shrimp for a delicious seafood flavor. Alternatively, adding some smoked sausage can also enhance the dish.
How spicy is this gumbo?
This gumbo is not inherently spicy but can be adjusted to your heat preference. Consider adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste. For those who enjoy a kick, adding sliced jalapeños during cooking can also provide a nice heat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).