Ingredients

  • 16 1/2 cups rich chicken stock
  • 4 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 (5 to 7 pound) rooster or chicken
  • 2 smoked ham hocks
  • 3 cups high gluten flour
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 3 cups rendered chicken fat
  • 2 pounds andouille sausage, sliced in 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • Vegetable oil
  • 8 yellow onions, diced, divided
  • 5 green bell peppers, diced
  • 4 tablespoons chopped garlic
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 5 red bell peppers, diced
  • 2 cups rice, cooked
  • 1 cup scallions

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Place chicken stock in a 2-gallon stockpot.
  • Place on back burner, bring to boil, and reduce to a simmer.
  • Mix together salt, cayenne, black pepper, cumin, paprika, and coriander and set aside.
  • Cut the rooster or chicken into 8 pieces, removing the backbone and discarding.
  • Place the ham hocks in the stock to simmer.
  • Season the flour with salt and pepper and place in a shallow dish.
  • Generously coat the chicken parts with some of the spice mix.
  • Set aside the remaining spice mixture.
  • Dust the seasoned chicken parts in the seasoned flour and set aside the remaining flour.
  • In a cast-iron skillet heat the chicken fat almost to smoking.
  • Fry the chicken parts over high heat to crisp the outside, but not cook the inside of the chicken.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels and add to stock.
  • Keep the remaining chicken fat in the pan.
  • Toss andouille with a few drops of oil and place in a baking dish.
  • Roast until fat is rendered and the surface of the andouille is caramelized, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove and put the andouille aside.
  • Heat the reserved chicken fat almost to smoking.
  • Very carefully whisk in the remaining flour.
  • Lower the heat to medium.
  • Whisk the flour into the roux and continue to whisk in a circular motion around the cast-iron pan.
  • The flour will move through a range of colors from hazelnut to brick red and on to dark brown.
  • Place 1/2 of the onions and all of the green bell peppers, garlic, and bay leaves in a large, heatproof bowl or container.
  • When the roux has reached a deep, red brown color, carefully pour the hot roux over the onion/pepper mixture and stir to combine.
  • Add the roux mixture to the stock, a few spoons at a time, leaving 5 minutes between each addition, until it is all added.
  • Add half of the remaining seasoning mix.
  • Allow to simmer for 30 minutes or until rooster is cooked and tender.
  • Strain into a large pot.
  • Saute remaining onions and red peppers until softened and add to strained liquid.
  • Remove meat from cooked chicken.
  • Discard chicken bones.
  • Add chicken pieces and andouille rounds.
  • Place gumbo in serving bowls and finish with a spoonful of rice and sliced scallions.