Vegan Gumbo

Let’s talk about hair for a brief moment, shall we?

Hey mother nature, how about laying off the humidity in the air for awhile, okay? The dampness is killing my hair. I would really appreciate it!

Love, Cara

Here’s a topic:

I look like a Hasidic Jewish man.

I’m neither a Hasidic Jew nor a man.

Discuss.

New topic:

Okra.

 I bought a big bunch of it at the Farmers’ Market last weekend and I wanted a new way to cook with it. Gumbo immediately came to mind.

I have never cooked Gumbo. Aside from the name itself, I really don’t know what entails a Gumbo.

So I started my research on Wikipedia to figure what makes a Gumbo.

And went from there…

I might have put a lot of garlic in the recipe. I love garlic though so I saw no problem with it. However, it was enough to wake up this morning and still smell it.

 I really wanted to sing this song from popular 80’s teen sitcom “Out of This World” (am I pulling out all the show stoppers this morning or what?! Eh? Evie, anyone? Pausing time with 2 connects of the index fingers? Yes please!):

“Hey….buffalo breath is that what they call you?

When you shoot the breeze do your friends go, ‘Peeeewww!’?”

Please tell me that I am not the only one who remembers this episode of the singing twins… ( go 5:00 on the video to get the song and everyone sing along!)

Where was I? Oh yes, garlic breath. Be prepared. Enough said.

Vegan Gumbo

• Author: Fork & Beans
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: Serves 4

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Ingredients

Gumbo:

• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. vegan worcestershire sauce
• 3 c. veggie broth
• 1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 lb okra, sliced to 1″ pieces
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 fresh sprigs of thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Dried Spice Mix:

• 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne powder
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (buffalo breath!)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a medium pot on medium heat. Saute onions for 3 minutes until soft; add garlic. Saute another 2 minutes.
2. Add Dried Spices Mix to onions and garlic. Stir around until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add worcestershire sauce and tomato paste and stir around until it thickens a little.
4. Pour in vegetable broth until a boil occurs. Simmer. Place the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves while simmering. 20 minutes.
5. Add the okra and beans; cook another 5 minutes or until okra has softened.
6. Serve over a bed of brown rice. Sprinkle with more seasoning.

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Notes

You can double the Dried Spice Mix in order to sprinkle it on top of the Gumbo before eating. It is so tasty! Just make sure you only use half of it when you are pouring it in the pot.