Located in a Lafayette, Louisiana farmhouse from the 1830s that has served as both a Confederate Army headquarters and a singles bar, Café Vermilionville smokes the turkey wings for this luxurious gumbo right out back in a makeshift smoker. With a dark roux as the base, the resulting dish is a medley of rich, smoky, and roasted flavors. If you don't have the equipment or inclination to smoke the turkey yourself, you can order a pre-smoked version or substitute regular wings.
See how to make a stovetop smoker »
Ingredients
FOR THE STOCK
- 3 lb. smoked turkey wings
- 6 scallions, roughly chopped
- 4 sprigs parsley
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 large white onion, chopped
FOR THE GUMBO
- 3⁄4 canola oil
- 1 1⁄2 lb. andouille, roughly chopped
- 1 cup flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, minced
- 1 small white onion, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, minced
- 1 tbsp. granulated garlic
- 1 tbsp. granulated onion
- 2 tsp. mesquite seasoning
- 1 tsp. cayenne
- 1 tsp. ground white pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
- 1 1⁄2 lb. smoked turkey breast, cut into 3/4" pieces
- 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
Step 1
Make the stock: Bring ingredients and 1 gallon water to a boil in a large stockpot. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 4 hours, then strain stock and keep warm.
Step 2
Make the gumbo: Heat 2 tbsp. oil in an 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high. Cook andouille until fat renders, 8-10 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add remaining oil and sprinkle in flour; make a dark roux. Add garlic, onions, and bell peppers; cook until soft, 10-12 minutes. Stir in granulated garlic and onion, mesquite seasoning, cayenne, white pepper, and chile flakes; cook 1 minute. Add reserved stock and andouille, the turkey breast, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until gumbo is thickened, about 1 hour. Serve with rice.
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