Duck Gumbo

Photo: flickr user David Blaine

Ingredients

4 Duck breast fillets

4 Boneless skinless chicken fillets

2 Polish keilbasa

pound Peeled, deveined shrimp - (31 to 40 count)

2 pkts Frozen gumbo vegetables

(the vegetables is where I cheat)

2 cans Whole tomatoes

1 Onion chopped

1 teaspoon Margarine

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Garlic powder to taste

Garlic salt to taste

Chili powder to taste

2 teaspoons Dried thyme

Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Red pepper flakes to taste

Habenero (or Tobasco) sauce to taste

Salt (optional)

Water

Whole-grain rice

Preparation

Thaw duck fillets, chicken breast, and shrimp in refrigerator overnight. Soak duck fillets in salt water and ice for 20 minutes - repeat this step at least twice.

Cut keilbasa into 3/4-inch thick slices, chop onion into small sections. Place meat, vegetables, tomatoes, margarine, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 2 dashes of habenero sauce into stock pot or large slow cooker. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes while occasionally stirring, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for one hour.

At this point sample a little broth, depending on how spicy you want your gumbo, you add small amounts of chili powder, garlic powder/salt, and pepper(s). Also begin to shred both the chicken and duck using a large spoon, cutting with the grain of the meat.

Remember to allow gumbo to simmer for a while in between additions of spices. Allow gumbo to cook for 4 to 6 hours on low heat in order to allow flavors to mix (gumbo is one of those dishes that gets better the longer it cooks and is really good when reheated the next day). Cook rice with a little garlic oil and salt. Do not add rice to the gumbo, simply serve over rice.

This recipe yields 8 to 10 servings.

Comments: This one was developed by Dr. Mark Holifield - one of my "huntin" buddies - whose practice is right here in Decatur County, TN. This is not his recipe verbatim, I like to take some short cuts.