Creamy, cheesy, and so delicious, Cauliflower au Gratin is on the top of our list of comfort food side dishes. It’s great alongside your favorite main courses and is a huge hit on Thanksgiving!

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Serves 12

INGREDIENTS
1 large head of cauliflower cut into florets, about 8 cups worth
3 tablespoons butter melted
1 medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded gruyere cheese (or Fontina, Gouda, or Swiss) divided
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano divided
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves only
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 pinch nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350f and set one rack on the middle level and one towards the top.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the cauliflower florets for 8 minutes or until almost fork tender, then drain and set aside.

Melt butter in a pot over medium heat then add the onion and cook until soft (about 7-8 minutes). Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).

Add the flour and cook until no white spots appear (1-2 minutes). Add the cream and bring to a low simmer. Once the cream starts to simmer remove the pot from the heat and mix in 3/4 cup Gruyere all of the Pecorino.

Add the cauliflower, thyme, and nutmeg to the pot and stir to combine. Give the sauce a taste and season with salt and pepper if required. A good amount of pepper is recommended.

Grease a 9×13 baking dish and pour the cauliflower into the dish. Top with the remaining Gruyere cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. If needed, the top can be broiled for the last 1-2 minutes but watch carefully.

Let the cauliflower au gratin sit for 10 minutes before serving.

These delicious Swedish Meatballs are simmered in a tangy creamy gravy until tender and served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. The perfect comfort food!

Serves 6

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INGREDIENTS
For the meatballs:
6 slices white bread cut into small cubes, see notes
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion minced
3 cloves garlic grated
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley minced
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 large eggs beaten
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil for frying – enough to fill the pan a 1/2″ high.

For the gravy:
7 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup dry white wine optional
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon allspice plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
For the meatballs:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread and milk and mash together with a fork to form a paste. Let sit for 10 minutes. (Store-bought plain breadcrumbs [1 to 1 1/4 cups] can also be used.)

Meanwhile, heat a frypan to medium heat with butter. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes then add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the sauteed onions and garlic and all of the remaining meatballs ingredients to the bread mixture and mix well. Roll meatballs into roughly 1″ diameter balls and place them onto a baking sheet or plate.

Pour vegetable oil 1/2″ high into a heavy frying pan or Dutch oven pot and heat to 350-370f.

Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs, working in batches to not overcrowd the pan, and fry until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes per batch). Remove browned meatballs to a plate.

Or you can bake the meatballs in a 400f oven for 20 minutes

For the gravy:
Heat a pot or large pan to medium and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the flour and whisk until lightly golden (about 3-5 minutes).

Add the white wine and cook for another minute while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to dislodge any of the browned bits.

Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil while whisking to incorporate. Once boiling lower the heat to a simmer. Add the Worcestershire sauce, allspice, nutmeg, Dijon mustard, and cream, and bring to a simmer.

To temper the sour cream (this will ensure that the sauce doesn’t break), mix 3 tablespoons of the hot gravy into a bowl with the sour cream. Repeat the process by adding more of the hot gravy to the sour cream. Add the tempered sour cream to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Test the gravy, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

When satisfied with the taste of the gravy, add the meatballs to the pot and cook over a low simmer until they are warmed through. Serve meatballs over egg noodles or mashed potatoes with Lingonberry on the side.

This restaurant-worthy steak au poivre combines peppercorn-crusted steak that’s seared and smothered in a creamy cognac and peppercorn sauce. It’s easy to make and always impressive.

Serves 2

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INGREDIENTS
2 12 ounces New York strip steaks trimmed and removed from fridge 1 hour before
3 tablespoons black peppercorns coarsely crushed
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons neutral oil avocado, vegetable, canola, etc.
1/3 cup cognac or brandy
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter cold
1 medium shallot minced
1 tablespoon green peppercorns optional

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large stainless steel or cast iron pan to medium heat.

Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season with salt kosher salt. Place the crushed peppercorns in a plate and press the steaks into the peppercorns on both sides to form a crust.

Add the vegetable oil to the hot pan and once shimmering add the steaks. Cook the steaks, undisturbed, for 4 minutes per side. If the steaks have a large amount of fat on their sides, stand them up with tongs and sear until browned.

Cook the steaks until desired doneness (I prefer 120-125f initially which will allow carryover heat to bring steaks to medium-rare of 130-135f) then place the steaks on a cutting board and tent with foil. See notes below for extra thick steaks.

Pour off the excess fat from the pan and add the shallot and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cognac. Place the pan back on the heat and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook until the cognac is almost evaporated (~2 minutes).

Add the cream to the pan and bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the back of a spoon (~2-3 minutes).

Add the green peppercorns (optional) and season the sauce with salt to taste. Turn off the heat and whisk in the butter. Place 1/4 of the sauce at the bottom of two separate plates. Plate the steaks and pour the remaining sauce on top of each steak.

Notes
– 4 minutes per side in a medium hot pan is roughly the amount of time a 10 to 12-ounce NY strip steak will take to reach 130-135f after tenting.
– If you have very thick steaks (1 1/2″ plus) finish the steaks in a 350f oven until desired temp has been reached. Use an instant-read thermometer placed into the center of the steak to properly check the internal temp.

Riso al Forno is comfort food at its best! This baked rice dish combines Arborio rice, peas, and cheese that’s baked in a meat sauce until golden and bubbly. And riso al forno is a great gluten free alternative to baked pastas!

Serves 8

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INGREDIENTS
For the sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion diced
5 cloves garlic sliced
2 small anchovy fillets optional
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
2 pounds ground chuck
3 ounces tomato paste
2 28 ounce cans plum tomatoes hand crushed or blender pulsed
salt and pepper to taste

For the riso al forno:
2 1/2 cups Arborio rice
2 cups frozen peas thawed
2 cups scamorza shredded
1/4 packed cup basil leaves chopped
3/4 cup Pecorino Romano grated

INSTRUCTIONS
For the sauce:
Heat a large saucepan to medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the beef and cook until browned (about 7-10 minutes). Remove the meat to a plate, leaving 3-4 tablespoons of the fat in the pan.

Turn the heat down to medium and add the onion. Saute until soft (5-7 minutes) then add the garlic and anchovy and cook for another 2 minutes more or until fragrant and the anchovy dissolves. Add the hot red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds.

Return the meat to the pan and add the tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the plum tomatoes and mix in to incorporate. Once the sauce starts bubbling, turn the heat down to a very low simmer.

Cook for at least 20 minutes uncovered at a low simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid any sticking. Taste-test the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if required.

Assembling the riso al forno:
While the sauce is simmering parboil the rice in salted water for 8 minutes. Drain the rice and rinse under cold water. Mix the rice with the peas.

Preheat oven to 375f and set the racks near the middle level.

In a very large bowl combine the rice and peas with the sauce, reserving 3 cups of sauce for later. Also, mix in the basil, half of the scamorza cheese, and half of the pecorino.

Coat a 9×13″ baking dish with half of the remaining sauce. Pour the rice into the dish and top with the remaining sauce and cheese.

Bake the rice for 30-35 minutes or until tender. For extra color broil for 1-2 more minutes but watch carefully! Wait at least 10-15 minutes before eating so that the rice settles.

For extra color, broil for 1-2 minutes, but watch very carefully to avoid burning.

These Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini boats are the perfect summer appetizer to make with all that farm-fresh zucchini. Making them is as simple as scooping out the seeds and stuffing them with a delicious lemon, ricotta, breadcrumb, parsley, garlic, and Parmigiano Reggiano stuffing.

Serves 4

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INGREDIENTS
4 medium zucchini
½ cup plain breadcrumbs
2 cups ricotta
½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
2 cloves garlic
3 medium lemons
¼ cup parsley
¼ cup olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400f and set rack in middle. Cut 4 medium zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the interior seeds with a spoon. Season the interior of the zucchini with a total of 1 tsp kosher salt and a ½ tsp of pepper. Drizzle oil onto each one and bake the zucchini in a sheet pan for 20-25 minutes until fork tender.

Chop a ¼ cup fresh parsley and mince 2 garlic cloves. Grate a ½ cup of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese or use good quality grated cheese. Slice 1 lemon into rounds.

In a pan over medium heat saute the garlic in a ¼ cup of olive oil until lightly golden. Set aside the garlic and oil mixture.

In a large bowl mix the 2 cups ricotta, ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, ½ cup breadcrumbs, juice of 1 lemon, ¼ cup parsley and the garlic/oil mixture.

Let the zucchini boats cool for a few minutes after baking then stuff with the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle a touch of breadcrumbs onto each and arrange the sliced lemons in the pan. Broil the zucchini boats for 5-7 minutes on the middle rack until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Serve with extra grated cheese and lemon wedges.

Sicilian eggplant caponata is one of the best ways to utilize eggplant. Caponata is a salty, sweet and sour appetizer, bursting with flavor. It’s perfect by itself, on top of toasted bread or crackers, or used as a topping for sandwiches.

Serves 6

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INGREDIENTS
2 pounds eggplant
1 cup celery
1 cup red onion
1 cup pitted green olives
¼ cup pignoli nuts
¼ cup parsley
⅛ cup capers
¼ cup raisins
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 425F and begin by cutting 2 pounds of eggplant into approximately 1″ cubes.

Place all the cut eggplant into a large glass bowl and toss with a ½ cup of olive oil, a tsp of kosher salt and a ½ tsp of black pepper. Use enough oil to coat all the pieces.

On a large baking sheet (line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking) spread out the eggplant. Keep the pieces from touching and if necessary use 2 sheet pans. Place the eggplant on the middle oven rack and roast for 25-30 minutes.

While the eggplant is roasting begin cutting 1 cup of celery into smallish pieces like shown.

Cut 1 cup of onion into half-moon strips. You can cut the onion and celery any way you want! Some people like a chunkier caponata while others prefer a smoother one.

Toast a ¼ cup of pignoli (pine) nuts in a separate pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes or so. Be careful, they burn easily. When finished toasting, remove the nuts and set them aside.

In a large pan saute the onion and celery for a few minutes in a ¼ cup of olive oil over medium heat. Again this is a preference/textural thing. If you like crunchy vegetables in your caponata only saute them for a minute or so.

Add in one 6-ounce can of tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes longer, spreading the paste all around the pan.

After 25-30 minutes the eggplant will be nicely roasted as shown. Use a fork and make sure they are soft on the inside and fully cooked. If not, another 5 minutes in the oven is fine.

To the pan add 1 cup of pitted good quality green olives, an ⅛ cup of rinsed capers, and a ¼ cup of raisins. Also, add 2 Tbsp of sugar and a ¼ cup of red wine vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.

Add in the eggplant and pine nuts and cook for 3 more minutes to ensure the caponata is well mixed. Be careful while mixing in the eggplant to avoid mashing it too much. A gentle stir with a wooden spoon is all that’s required.

Finally, add a ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley, give it one more stir, and a taste test. Adjust salt, pepper, and sugar if necessary. If satisfied, let it cool, then place it in a container and refrigerate.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Zucchini – Add some zucchini to this caponata for a nice twist. Pan roast 2 cups of the same size pieces as the eggplant for the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Peppers – Use 2 large bell peppers, cut up into bite-size chunks for added texture and flavor.

Carrots – Roast 1 cup of carrots with the eggplant for added flavor or just sear them in the pan with the onions and celery to introduce a crunchy texture.

Anchovies – It wouldn’t be Sicilian cooking without talking about this ingredient. Saute 3-4 chopped anchovies until they melt with the celery and onion.

Herbs – Mint and basil are excellent additions!

Lemon asparagus pasta is a bright and flavorful pasta that’s perfect for spring and summer! Thinly sliced asparagus is quickly sauteed with garlic and oil and tossed with al dente pasta, lemon zest, and juice. Finished with hand-torn fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese, this pasta is as easy to eat as it is to make

Serves 4

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INGREDIENTS
1 pound spaghetti or linguine
1 bunch asparagus sliced diagonally on a thin bias
½ cup extra virgin olive oil divided
6 cloves garlic sliced
½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
3 cups pasta water will most likely not need it all
1 lemon zested and juiced
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup basil hand torn
½ cup parmesan grated

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons per gallon) to boil.

Meanwhile, cut off and discard the bottom 2 inches of the asparagus and slice it into 3-inch long thin pieces on a diagonal bias. At this point cook the spaghetti until 1 minute less than al dente.

Heat a large pan to medium-low and coat the pan with a ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Saute the garlic for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant then add the red pepper flakes and the asparagus. Cook for 1-2 minutes longer until the asparagus just turns bright green.

When the pasta is almost done cooking add 1 cup of pasta water to the pan and turn the heat to medium.

Add the almost-cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. If the pasta is too dry add a bit more pasta water and toss once more.

Once the pasta reaches a perfect al dente, remove the pan from heat and add in the lemon juice and lemon zest and toss to emulsify. Add the basil and a hefty drizzle of extra virgin olive oil as well. Taste test and make final adjustments to salt and pepper. Serve in bowls and divide the grated parmesan.

Note
– Try your best to cut the asparagus into thin slices on a diagonal bias. The pieces will form long wilted strands similar to the spaghetti.

Cast iron pan pizza is a tasty alternative to pizzas made on a steel, or in a pizza-specific pan. This recipe uses our classic New York pizza dough, plum tomatoes, block mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano cheese, and since it’s made in a cast iron pan, it holds up well to adding any additional toppings you’d like!

Serves 8

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INGREDIENTS
For the dough:
3 ¼ cups (406 grams) bread flour
½ teaspoon (2 grams) instant yeast
1 ½ teaspoons (8 grams) fine sea salt
1 teaspoon (4 grams) sugar
9 ounces (260 grams) cool water
1 tablespoon (14 grams) olive oil

For the cast iron pizza:
1 ~24 ounce dough ball from above
12 ounces crushed plum tomatoes drained of excess liquid
10 ounces low moisture block mozzarella cheese shredded, weight will vary, but use enough to cover the pizza completely
2 tablespoons Pecorino Romano grated
6 tablespoons olive oil divided
2 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Sicilian oregano

INSTRUCTIONS
For the dough:
Place water into a bowl large enough to hold both the water and all the dry ingredients and still have room to spare. Mix together dry ingredients in another bowl.

Add dry ingredients to water a bit at a time and mix thoroughly to form a dry rough mass.

Pour the oil over the dough, mix again to scrape off any dough residue stuck to side of the bowl, and place the rough shaggy dough onto a work surface.

Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, place a clean bowl inverted over the dough and wait 30 minutes before resuming. Return to kneading (just make sure to knead for at least a total of 5 minutes).

Place the bowl over the dough once more and let sit for 30-40 minutes to warm up before forming the dough ball.

After 40 minutes pull the dough towards its end repeatedly to form a smooth ball. Pinch the seam side and place the dough ball seam side down into an oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, but preferably 1 day before using.

For the cast iron pizza:
Coat the bottom of a 12-inch cast iron pan with a ¼ cup of olive oil. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it into the pan. With your fingertips begin pressing the dough into the corners of the pan. You might not be able to do this in one attempt. Place plastic over the pan and let the dough warm up.

After 2 hours the dough should have filled the pan. If not, just press it into the sides of the pan with your fingers once more. Again cover with plastic and at this point, preheat the oven to 550f and set the rack to the middle level.

Drain the crushed tomatoes of any excess water. You will need approximately 1 ½ cups of drained tomatoes. Add a ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to the tomatoes and set aside. Mix the minced garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.

Remove the plastic from the pan and if required press the dough into the edges. Spread the sauce to the edges of the dough and top with the mozzarella.

Drizzle the garlic oil all over the top of the pizza.

Bake the pizza for 14 minutes then remove it from the oven and top it with the Pecorino and oregano. Return to the oven and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

If the pizza’s bottom is not brown enough, simply cook the pizza in the pan over medium heat until the bottom is browned to your liking. Make sure to check frequently to not burn the pizza!

The total cooking time will be approximately 15-18 minutes. Let the pizza sit for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes
– Different size pans can be used with the same size dough ball. This recipe will yield a thick 12-inch cast iron pizza or a thinner 14-inch pie. If using the 14-inch pan, you might need to stretch it a bit more and the pizza will cook in about 12-14 minutes versus 15-18. You will also need a bit more cheese and sauce.
– The dough can be cold fermented for as little as 12 hours in the fridge, to as long as 72 hours.
– The dough can be made in a stand mixer. Knead at low speed for 5-7 minutes then ball the dough and place it in an oiled tightly covered container overnight.
Cooking time will vary depending on the exact oven temp but should be around 15-18 minutes.
– If the bottom of the pizza isn’t brown enough, simply heat the pan over medium heat and cook to your liking.

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta is a spice lover’s dream! Plump, Cajun-seasoned shrimp are seared and tossed with Andouille sausage and fettuccine in a simple sauce and topped with green onion. Perfect for weeknights, Mardi Gras celebrations, and anytime in between!

Serves 6

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INGREDIENTS
1 pound fettuccine or linguine, spaghetti, etc
2 pounds shrimp cleaned and deveined
2 tablespoons Cajun spice seasoning divided, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon baking soda
12 ounces Andouille sausage thin sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large bell peppers diced
1 medium onion diced
3 ribs celery diced
2 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
¾ cup heavy cream
5 green onions sliced
2 cups reserved pasta water will most likely not need it all

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons kosher salt) to boil. In a bowl mix shrimp with baking soda and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and wait 10 minutes before cooking.

Heat your largest pan to medium heat and sear the shrimp in olive oil until cooked through (about 3-4 minutes). Place the shrimp on a plate and tent with foil.

Add the Andouille sausage to the same pan and cook for a couple of minutes per side or until some color develops. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and place it on the same plate as the shrimp and keep tented with foil.

Add the onions, peppers, and celery to the pan and saute for about 10-12 minutes or until they take on some color and soften considerably. If needed, add a touch more olive oil for the saute process. At this time begin boiling the pasta to 2-3 minutes less than al dente.

Once the peppers are soft add in the chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. With a wooden spoon scrape up all of the brown bits from the pan.

Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Once the sauce starts to thicken (about 2-3 minutes) add the pasta and continue to simmer while stirring frequently. Add some of the reserved pasta water to keep everything moist while the pasta cooks.

Add the sausage and shrimp about 1 minute before the pasta reaches al dente then turn off the heat. Add the green onions and taste test. Add more of the Cajun seasoning to taste. Note: It’s best to wait to add more of the seasoning due to the spicy nature of the Andouille.

If the pasta dries out before serving just add a bit of reserved pasta water to thin it out.

Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Gumbo is a Cajun-style stew that’s loaded with a variety of flavors and textures. A dark roux forms the foundation to which onion, celery, and green bell pepper are added along with chicken, andouille sausage, and shrimp. Served over rice and topped with green onion and a sprinkle of filé powder, this gumbo is sure to be a favorite in your home!

Serves 6

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INGREDIENTS
11 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
11 tablespoons flour
1 medium onion diced
2 ribs celery diced
1 large green pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
¾ pound large shrimp deveined and shells/tails removed
¾ pound Andouille sausage sliced
5 cups low sodium chicken stock plus more if too thick
¼ cup flat leaf parsley minced
2 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon filé powder for serving, optional
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning divided, plus more to taste
salt and pepper to taste
5 green onions sliced

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot to a touch less than medium. Add 9 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Slowly whisk the flour into the oil and cook, stirring frequently, until the roux reaches a dark brown color (about 40-45 minutes). Make sure to watch the roux the whole time and stir frequently to avoid burning.

Meanwhile, heat a large pan to medium heat. Pat the chicken thighs dry then season with a ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning on all sides.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan and add the chicken thighs. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side or until well browned. Remove the thighs to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle chop into bite-size pieces.

Add the Andouille sausage to the same pan and sear until browned (about 4-5 minutes total) then set aside on a plate. Add the low-sodium chicken stock to the pan and with a wooden spoon scrape up all of the brown bits. Turn the heat down to low.

Once the roux is dark brown, add the onions, pepper, and celery and cook in the roux until soft (about 7-10 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the chopped chicken, Andouille sausage, chicken stock, bay leaves, and remaining Cajun seasoning to the pot and bring to a boil. Scrape up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Once boiling turn the heat down and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes stir in the shrimp along with the parsley. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked then remove the pot from the heat.

Taste test and adjust salt and pepper and Cajun seasoning to taste if required. Serve the gumbo with white rice, a sprinkle of green onion and parsley, and filé powder.