This is the best recipe to use up all of those wilting greens that are hanging out in your fridge. You can literally throw in any greens, even radish and carrot tops.
Disappearing Greens Gumbo
Load in as many greens as you want to this spicy Cajun dish. They will cook down to a delicious gumbo that will have everyone asking for more!
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Olive Oil
- 2/3 cup Flour
- 2 stalks Scallion sliced thinly
- 5 cups Chicken, Beef, or Vegetable Stock
- 1 bunch Turnip Greens roughly chopped
- 1 bunch Spinach roughly chopped
- 1 bunch Radish Greens roughly chopped
- 1 bunch Kale ribs removed and roughly chopped
- 1 bunch Arugula chopped
- 1/2-2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning start with 1/2 tbsp and work up to desired spiciness
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 6 cups Cooked Rice optional
Instructions
- Wash all of your greens and roughly chop, then set aside.
- Make a dark chocolate roux: This requires constant attention and stirring so you will not be able to leave the pot for several minutes. Start by warming the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat until the oil shimmers. Whisk in the flour with a wire whisk until clumps are broken up. Using a wooden spoon, stir and cook the oil/flour mixture for about 15 minutes until it turns a dark brown color, like a chocolate bar. It should begin to smell like nutty popcorn. Stir constantly so that none of the flour burns.
- When you have a dark brown roux, stir in the scallions. Cook until lightly wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the stock
- Work all the greens into the stew a bit at a time until they are wilting.
- Bring to a boil and skim any foam that rises to the surface.
- Add the bay leaf, garlic powder, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning a 1/2 tbsp at a time and taste as you go to reach desired spiciness.
- Cover then reduce heat to low and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve over cooked rice if desired.
Notes
If you are not used to spicy foods or if you have children that are sensitive to spicy, then limit the Cajun seasoning to about 1/2-1 tbsp. You can always add more if you want more spice.
Source: adapted from localthyme.net
