The state of Louisiana is well-known for serving one of the most superb stews known to man – Gumbo. People in and out of the country have been exposed to its rich flavors, but very few really appreciate where it came from and how it came about.

Gumbo is seen as Louisiana’s largest contribution to American cuisine. A melting pot of cultures, it appeared in the 18^th century when the French brought the bouillabaisse, making it the basis for what was to become the finest stew in the state. The people of Louisiana added the vegetable “okra” whenever they prepared the dish, and it was christened gumbo because this was the African word for the said vegetable. The other ingredients used in making the dish are the “holy trinity” of vegetables and was brought by the Spaniards – bell pepper, celery and onions – as well as filé powder. To perfect the meal, gumbo was also added with poultry, shellfish or smoked pork.

There are those who still do not appreciate the origins of gumbo, but the native Louisianans who settled near bayous and rivers back in the day would give proof of having sampled the best gumbo. In fact, the original recipe for bayou gumbo is hard to find in the present times. Nowadays, gumbo is divided into two groups: those that use filé powder as thickeners and those that make use of okra to thicken their stews. Others also employ Cajun and Creole styles of cooking; Cajun-style gumbo makes use of a darker roux and does not contain tomatoes, while Creole-style gumbo contains tomatoes but roux that is lighter.

If you want to taste the best gumbo Louisiana has to offer but are unconfident of where to go, the Louisiana Gumbo Company can send the meal right to your doorstep. Its owners, Dan Melton and internationally-acclaimed chef Tim Creehan have united and perfected their secret gumbo recipe, a recipe inherited from Melton’s forefathers more than 80 years ago. With roots from authentic bayou gumbo, their gumbo is surely the most excellent selection from the manufactured recipes out there. Even if they have a delivery service, the Louisiana Gumbo Company assures that each batch of their gumbo is prepared only with the freshest ingredients and ensures great quality. In contrast to packaged and frozen gumbo sold in popular restaurants and food chains, the dishes served by the company tastes a whole lot better as it is cooked one small batch at a time, to keep its freshness and quality. Best of all, you don’t have to waste energy seeking out restaurants to eat in, because the meal comes to you! So if you want to sample the excellent taste of bayou gumbo, visit Louisiana Gumbo Company’s site and order one today.

Editors Note:
You can also try our Crock Pot Bayou Gumbo recipe.