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Do You Know The Difference Between Jambalaya And Gumbo?

Do You Know The Difference Between Jambalaya And Gumbo?

Gumbo and jambalaya are probably some of the first dishes that come to mind when you think of Louisiana cooking. With roots in Cajun and Creole traditions, these dishes havea strong cultural influence and you may find out about different secret touches or ingredients depending on who you ask. The main differences between gumbo and jambalaya have to do with some ingredients, particularly rice, and consistency.

Gumbo is a thicker stew made with chicken, sausage, salt meat, or crab, shrimp, and oysters if you're going the seafood route. It starts off with onion, celery, and bell pepper, the three items that are also used to start off jambalaya. A main difference between the two is that many gumbo recipes use a roux, a thickening agent made with fat and flour and cooked until dark in color. and filé powder, which is made from the dried leaves of the sassafras tree. Additional ingredients like okra, chicken stock, and seasonings complete the dish, which is then served over rice.

On the other hand, while jambalaya starts with onion, celery, and bell pepper as well, it's more of a one-pot rice dish with a less soupy consistency compared to gumbo. Think of it as a dish similar to Spanish paella or West African jollof. Along with the three starting vegetables, garlic, green onion, parsley, cayenne, and red pepper flakes are also included. Jambalaya is often either made red (with tomato pasta and tomato sauce) or brown (with beef broth) and can include the meats of your choosing whether that be sausage, pork butt, chicken, crab, shrimp, or duck. Rather than being served over rice like gumbo, the rice is cooked directly into jambalaya, making it one of the most integral ingredients of the dish.

As mentioned, ingredients and differences between gumbo and jambalaya can vary depending on who you ask or where you're eating, but rice and consistency are the main identifying factors. Either way, they're both delicious and necessary for all of your Mardi Gras celebrations.

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