Gumbo Vs. Jambalaya
Gumbo and jambalaya are famous dishes native to Louisiana, but those who are unfamiliar with Cajun or Creole cuisine may not realize the differences between the two. Does this Spark an idea?
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Significance
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Gumbo and jambalaya are both rich, flavorful one-pot Cajun or Creole dishes. They both use common, sensible kitchen ingredients, reflecting the Louisiana tradition of not letting anything go to waste.
What Is Gumbo?
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Gumbo is a hearty, rich stew. While it can be made several different ways, it is always served with rice.
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What's in Gumbo?
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Gumbo typically contains the "holy trinity" of vegetables--onions, celery and green bell pepper and some type of meat or vegetable stock. Varying regions use different kinds of meat, although smoked sausage, chicken, ham, crawfish and shrimp are very common; beef is never used. Gumbo is thickened with a dark roux, filé powder or okra.
What Is Jambalaya?
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Jambalaya is a hearty rice-based dish similar to a casserole. Contrary to the belief that the name implies ingredients are "jumbled" together, it actually stems from the French word for ham, "jambon."
What's In Jambalaya?
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Jambalaya typically made with the "holy trinity," garlic, chicken, ham, smoked sausage, crawfish, and/or shrimp. Creole jambalaya is typically made with tomatoes in some form while Cajun jambalaya leaves the tomatoes out.
Gumbo Vs. Jambalaya
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While both are delicious, jambalaya is typically easier to make because gumbo's dark roux can be difficult to master. Additionally, many find the texture of okra or filé powder in gumbo slimy, so people who are new to Cajun or Creole cuisine often have a better first experience with jambalaya.
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