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Adding Smokey Flavor

6K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  pete 
#1 ·
Hello everyone, 

New poster here but I've been a reader for some time.

I recently made a pot of Chicken and Sausage Gumbo which came out absolutely delicious.  One thing I wanted to do different was to incorporate more of a smokey flavor than is provided by the Andouille and Kielbasa sausage.  So this time, I actually smoked 2 chickens that I quartered for about 1 hour (not fully cooked), then used them to create my stock.  I pulled off all of the meat discarding the skin and bones; shredded and later added to the gumbo. 

Obviously, this added a LOT of time and effort to making this dish.  So my question(s) are: Is this an appropriate way to go about adding a smokey flavor?   Is there a different way to accomplish the same thing in a shorter amount of time.  (or less work).  Of course I thought of using liquid smoke but haven't tried it yet.  I'm open to opinions on that too. 

I'm not sure why but using liquid smoke just doesn't sit well with me.  Seems fake.

Thoughts?
 
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#2 ·
Using a dark roux would help, and if you have a smoker maybe try thinly slicing your trinity (Bell pepper, celery and onions) and smoking them might help although it is not going to cut down on time or effort. Maybe smoking the chicken skinless as alot of smoke tends to stay on the skin. I haven't tried any of this so its totally theoretical.
 
#5 ·
Smoked salt, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, smoke powder, (dehydrated liquid smoke essentially). 

George Hirsch would routinely use pre-grilled vegetables in his cooking. For gumbo think onion, grilled (roasted) peppers, garlic (whole heads, as in roasted garlic technique, but picking up smoke flavors.  Celery doesn't take as well to this.  Basically cut your onion in thick ring sections. Skewer to hold together. Brush with oil. Grill.  Chill/freeze for later use. Chop when cool to sizes you'll use. 

Some barbecue sauce isn't wholly out of place in the sauce, but use LIGHTLY.

Hirsch had one of the first dedicated grill cooking programs on PBS. Haven't seen those in a long time now.  Maybe Create channel has them now? 
 
#9 ·
    There are no rules for gumbo...you use what is on hand and you use the techniques at hand,  That said...my favorite type of andouille is the type you'll find in LaPlace Louisiana.  It's simply a properly made hot pork link heavily smoked.  We usually make our own.  Are you buying prepackaged Kielbasa or andouille?  If you are...stop. Look for the various smoked sausages in the deli section.  If one grocery store doesn't have anything try to find another that does.

    For gumbo, or other dishes, I'll usually use a smoked hock for flavor and smoke.  But don't overlook saving some of those left over ribs, or shoulder to use later as an ingredient rather than a meal.

Dan
 
#10 ·
Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I thought about cooking down my holy trinity on the grill or smoker but that really doesn't buy me much in the time saving department. BUT...I never thought about smoking flour.  

ChefBillyB, how would I do that?  Spread flour out onto a pan and put it on the smoker? I guess stirring occasionally?  Then... can that be stored in an air tight container?  And if so, how long would you recommend?  I'm curious what effect that would have on my roux?  (both color and taste). 

I can see having smoked flour on hand being a big time saver.  (if thats possible)  I would think because of the amount of combined surface area of the flour, it would really pick up a tremendous amount of the smokey flavor.  (maybe too much)  I can see that being similar to what phatch suggested.  Smoked salt or paprika.  I never heard of smoked powder;  heard of smokeless powder for gun ammo! :).  

As far as the sausage goes, I'm using store bought prepackaged, Eckrich Polska Kielbasa and Veron Andouille.  I love the Kielbasa and it is smoked but neither is enough for my taste.  

Not trying to overdue the smokey flavor.  Smoking the chicken worked really well.  Just a lot of work.

BTW... I made a chocolate colored roux with this pot; darker than milk chocolate but not as dark as dark chocolate .... or as my Uncle would say...  a 2 beer roux!

Thanks for the suggestions
 
#11 · (Edited)
WDC, your uncle knows, a two beer roux is spot on. The flour would go on a 1/2 sheet pan so it lets the smoke hit more of the surface area. I'm not sure about the shelf life but it should work out fine in the Roux. I could also bet no one else is doing it. That will make your Gumbo even more unique..........
 
#13 ·
Coarse chop some onions, carrots, and celery. Use skins, peels ,leaves, root ends, the whole bit. Smoke the vegies. Then use the vegies to make a stock. Strain the cooked vegies out and throw away. Reduce the saved broth by ten. Freeze in ice cube trays. When frozen, put the cubes together in a ziplock bag for easy storage. Now you have your own liquid smoke to add to stocks etc.. Initially takes a bit of time but not much labor. Just reap the rewards in future cooking.
 
#15 ·
I wouldn't think the Kielbasa is bringing any smoke flavor to the Gumbo. The Andouille sausage is bringing great flavor but again not much smoke. Lots of good ideas from all the posters. Why not smoke the whole pot of gumbo? They smoke BBQ beans in a smoker. I would just put the gumbo in a 2" or 4" hotel pan depending on how much you make. This way you cover more surface area of the Gumbo.
 
#18 ·
As far as the sausage goes, I'm using store bought prepackaged, Eckrich Polska Kielbasa
I am not a fan of Eckrich sausage products...way too greasy and the grind brings to mind bologna (but that is just IMO ;-).

If you are ever in the Lafayette area drop by Don's Meats.

Their many choices of house made sausages and boudin cannot be beat (again IMO) /img/vbsmilies/smilies/licklips.gif.

It used to be a regular stopping point on the way home from NOLA....

mimi
 
#19 · (Edited)
I am not a fan of Eckrich sausage products...way too greasy and the grind brings to mind bologna (but that is just IMO ;-).

If you are ever in the Lafayette area drop by Don's Meats.

Their many choices of house made sausages and boudin cannot be beat (again IMO) /img/vbsmilies/smilies/licklips.gif.

It used to be a regular stopping point on the way home from NOLA....

mimi
Flip, your right! If you can't find the best sausage in Nola there no more hope for the world. When I make my sausage I don'y want it emulsified I want to see the fat, meat and spices. This way when I fry the sausage all the flavors combine with a burst with every bite. This is what mine looks like........

 
#20 ·
So to be perfectly honest, I never tasted or knew what Kielbasa sausage was until I bought it accidentally at the grocery once.  I loved the taste though. There are a couple of specialty meat shops around here and they all have good andouille sausage, boudin, pickle meat, etc but I don't ever recall seeing kielbasa locally.  

What exactly is different about it? Just flavor?  What's the origin of Kielbasa.

Lauren lulu... we could probably answer your question pretty quickly by just finding out who on this forum knows what pickle meat is. (without google!)

I lived in Houston for 4 years after the storm.  Thought nothing when I asked the butcher at the HEB.. where's your pickle meat!  You should have see the look he gave me!  ...and it wasn't just him, there was about 4-5 other ppl around and looked at me like I was crazy. (or a pervert!)  Thanks to one lady who was also from N.O. knew what I was talking about and approached me laughing and saying "no no no honey... there's no pickle meat around here.  You don't live in N.O. anymore!"  

4 years after that, I saw pickle meat at that same HEB before we left to move back home.  I guess enough ppl asked.

ChefBillyB, that looks down right delicious!!
 
#21 ·
So to be perfectly honest, I never tasted or knew what Kielbasa sausage was until I bought it accidentally at the grocery once. I loved the taste though. There are a couple of specialty meat shops around here and they all have good andouille sausage, boudin, pickle meat, etc but I don't ever recall seeing kielbasa locally.

What exactly is different about it? Just flavor? What's the origin of Kielbasa.

Lauren lulu... we could probably answer your question pretty quickly by just finding out who on this forum knows what pickle meat is. (without google!)

I lived in Houston for 4 years after the storm. Thought nothing when I asked the butcher at the HEB.. where's your pickle meat! You should have see the look he gave me! ...and it wasn't just him, there was about 4-5 other ppl around and looked at me like I was crazy. (or a pervert!) Thanks to one lady who was also from N.O. knew what I was talking about and approached me laughing and saying "no no no honey... there's no pickle meat around here. You don't live in N.O. anymore!"

4 years after that, I saw pickle meat at that same HEB before we left to move back home. I guess enough ppl asked.

ChefBillyB, that looks down right delicious!!
Polish Kielbasa, in most cases will be found in a sausage ring or rope. The polish would eat this for dinner with potatoes and kraut and a stone ground mustard. You will also see it steamed on a bun with mustard and kraut. At Easter morning my Mom would serve it sliced cold on a platter. I would find a butcher shop and tell them what your looking for as far as smoke and spice in the sausage. They isn't anything wrong with the Kielbasa it just won't do what you want in Gumbo. Do they have a Cajun sausage in any of the places you shop ?
 
#22 ·
    Who dat...

  Kielbasa is what many people also call Polish Sausage.  Ekrich isn't a great example of a good Polish sausage and kindof has a flavor and texture very identifiable with their brands sausage. 

  If you're looking to add a smoky flavor to your gumbo, a hock, smoked turkey, or adding left over pulled pork or smoked rib meat out to be suffice.  Sometimes I'll smoke, or grill, some small game hens and stuff them with dirty rice and serve in a bowl of gumbo.  Cut the game hen open and the dirty rice opens into the gumbo.

   With the Polish sausage...place the Polish sausage in a bun, add a good amount of sauteed onion and mustard...you've got yourself a version of a Maxwell Street Polish Sausage...straight in the spirit of Jim's in Chicago.

   I can't go to NoLa without visiting Elizabeth's for breakfast.  Of course, your boudin balls and cracklin' get heavenly outside of NoLa...and then staying in a camp on the water is something special.  I'm trying not to go on and on...but it would be wrong of me if I didn't mention how wonderful the town, the pub and the people are in Abita Springs

okay, I'm done...

Dan
 
#23 ·
Polish Kielbasa, in most cases will be found in a sausage ring or rope. The polish would eat this for dinner with potatoes and kraut and a stone ground mustard. You will also see it steamed on a bun with mustard and kraut. At Easter morning my Mom would serve it sliced cold on a platter. I would find a butcher shop and tell them what your looking for as far as smoke and spice in the sausage. They isn't anything wrong with the Kielbasa it just won't do what you want in Gumbo. Do they have a Cajun sausage in any of the places you shop ?
If who dat is mentioning " they all have good andouille sausage, boudin, pickle meat, etc"...I'm guessing he's getting some nice andouille...just a hunch
 
#24 ·
Oh... gone fishing... you speak to my heart. Been to Elizabeth's.. great place but if you're on the north shore, Liz's Where-Ya-At in Mandeville (which is where I live) is freakin awesome also! A must stop if you're in the neighborhood.

On a sad note, the "camps" that you speak of are all gone since the storm. Camps as we knew them. I grew up with 3 family members owning camps so we were always there swimming, fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. There are a bunch that have rebuilt but they don't seem the same to me. Most ppl have elected to put travel trailers in place of camps or have built camps 20+ ft in the air. I fish down in Delacroix and Hope Dale area and have been looking at property down there for a while.

But the next time you are near Elizabeth's... 2 blks away is "The Joint" (bbq place). I may be in danger or starting a war here but I'll put their brisket up against anything I had in Texas. Not saying anything against the food, especially Mexican and BBQ in Texas, it's really really good but The Joint is as good or better.

....and yes, I've been to Franklins and County Line in Austin and that tiny road side place in Lagrange. All are awesome too. Don't pass up a chance to goto the Joint! ....just sayin....

BTW..... If you happen to be in Austin, I highly recommend Magnolia Cafe for breakfast. There are two; personally I like the one on Congress St. but the one near Lady Lake has more character.
 
#25 ·
 A lot of great suggestions here.  I like the idea of doing up a bunch of smoked onions.  Yes there is time involved but they would have a variety of uses and you could make a large batch and freeze them.  My first thought, when reading the OP was smoked paprika-one of my favorite spices.  It's quick, simple and provides a good deal of flavor as well as a bit of heat.
 
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