Seafood Gumbo Recipe

Gumbo essentially offers a taste of New Orleans, but the time-honored, classic Cajun stew is often the source of a great debate among Southerners. Some opt for seafood, others for chicken and andouille. For this recipe, we chose to fill the gumbo with heady seafood ingredients such as fresh crabmeat, shrimp, and oysters. Thicken with okra as it simmers, or toss in some filé at the finish. So many possibilities! Most agree the secret to a good gumbo is in the roux, but even then there's controversy over color. The magic of this recipe starts with a chocolate-colored roux. The next layer of flavor? The holy trinity of Cajun cooking: bell pepper, onion, and celery. Serve the gumbo in individual soup or gumbo bowls with hot cooked rice as recommended. It's a comforting and spicy bowl full of seafood and veggies, and the perfect dish to serve at Super Bowl parties or large gatherings.