Chicken Gumbo

Louisiana, most particularly New Orleans and the lands that stretch west along the delta, is famous for its food. I think that its gumbos are its triumphs. The characteristic medium spiciness that still lets the other flavors, the thickening agents and the opening sauté of vegetables, shine through, to combine with the main ingredient—here chicken—is inspired and reflects French, Italian, and African influences.

The thickening can come from the roux and from filé powder. Roux in Cre