Chickpea and Mushroom Gumbo

Chickpea and Mushroom Gumbo is a scrumptious vegetarian gumbo featuring shiitake, crimini and porcini mushrooms.

Yield: 11 cups

Ingredients

• 4 ounces vegetable oil
• 4 ounces all-purpose flour, browned in oven
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
• 4 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 4 ounces porcini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 pound okra, 1/2-inch slices, caps and tips discarded
• 1 ounce tomato paste
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 16 ounces vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons Spice House King Creole seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Spice House Gumbo File
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 ounce fresh thyme
• 16 ounces chickpeas, rinsed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a saucepan combine flour and vegetable oil over medium heat and cook until deep brown, set aside.
2. In heavy bottom pot, heat olive oil until shimmering; add onions, green pepper, celery and garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
3. Add mushrooms and sauté until they release their liquor, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Add okra and sauté until all the slime is gone.
5. Add tomato paste and sauté until paste is deep burgundy in color.
6. Pour tomatoes, broth, seasoning, file, bay leaves and thyme into pot and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 40 minutes.
7. Add chickpeas and simmer for 10 minutes more.
8. Remove bay leaves and thyme branches and discard. Pour off 6 ounces of the liquid and combine with the brown roux, over medium heat. Whisk over heat until smooth. Slowly pour tempered roux into pan and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat, to thicken.
9. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
10. Serve over steamed white rice.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: The Mushroom Council
Courtesy of Tom K., Flik Independent School Dining Chef Manager.