Magic Roux Recipes

Steps:

• Remove excess fat from the chicken pieces. Rub a generous amount of the Magic Seasoning Blend on both sides of each piece, making sure each is evenly covered. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium-size bowl combine the onions, bell peppers and celery, set aside. Thoroughly combine the flour with 1 tablespoon of the Magic Seasoning Blend in a paper or plastic bag. Add the chicken and shake until pieces are well coated. Reserve ½ cup of the flour.
• In a large skillet (preferably not a nonstick type) heat 1½ inches oil until very hot (375º to 400º). Fry the chicken pieces until crust is brown on both sides, about 5 to 8 minutes per side; drain on paper towels. Carefully pour the hot oil into a glass measuring cup, leaving as many of the browned particles in the pan as possible. Scrape the pan bottom with a metal whisk to loosen any stuck particles, then return ½ cup of hot oil to the pan. Place pan over high heat. Using a long handled metal whisk, gradually stir in the reserved ½ cup flour. Cook, whisking constantly, until roux is dark red-brown to black, about 3½ to 4 minutes, being careful not to let it scorch or splash on your skin.
• Remove from heat and immediately add the reserved vegetable mixture, stirring constantly until the roux stops getting darker. Return pan to low heat and cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly and scraping the pan bottom well. Set aside.
• Place the stock in a 5½-quart saucepan or large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Add the roux mixture by spoonfuls to the boiling stock, stirring until dissolved between additions. Add the chicken pieces and return mixture to a boil, stirring and scraping pan bottom often. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the andouille and garlic. Simmer uncovered until chicken is tender, about 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally and more often toward the end of cooking time.
• When the gumbo is almost cooked, adjust the seasoning if desired with additional amount of Magic Seasoning Blend. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Pour milk into a saucepan.
• Add all other ingredients.
• Place pan over a medium heat, and, using a wire balloon whisk, whisk sauce constantly until butter melts.
• Be sure to work the whisk into the edges of the pan to incorporate all the flour.
• Whisk frequently until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
• Taste and add extra seasoning if required.
• Variations: Mustard Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 ½ cups milk and ½ cup chicken stock.
• Along with the salt, add 2 teaspoons mustard powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder and substitute a good pinch of cayenne pepper for the black pepper.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice when sauce is completed.
• Cheese Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 cup milk and 1 cup cream.
• Along with the salt, add a good pinch of nutmeg and substitute a good pinch of cayenne pepper for black pepper.
• At the simmering stage stir in 75g- 100g grated tasty cheese (I like a mixture of mature cheddar and parmesan).
• Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice when sauce is completed.
• Parsley Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 ¾ cups milk and ¼ cup cream.
• When sauce is finished, mix in 4 tablespoons finely chopped parsley and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.