Gumbo Z'herbs - Leah Chase

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Gumbo Z’Herbes 
recipe from Leah Chase [Dooky Chase, New Orleans, Louisiana];linked from Ladels and JellySpoons website

Jadin loin, gombo gaté. (Jardin loin, gombo gâté) “When the 
garden is far, the gumbo is spoiled.” An old Creole saying. Given the 
large number of green ingredients in this dish it is definitely one to 
make after a trip to the local farmers’ market. Leah Chase’s gumbo is so
 steeped in history and folklore it’s a shame to keep it to just one day
 of the year and remember – always use an odd number of greens.
1 bunch mustard greens

1 bunch collard greens

1 bunch turnip greens

1 bunch watercress

1 bunch beet tops

1 bunch carrot tops

1 bunch spinach

1/2 head of lettuce

1/2 head of cabbage

2 medium onions, chopped (about 3 cups)

4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

5 7 tablespoons flour

1 pound smoked sausage

1 pound smoked ham

1 pound brisket, cubed

1 pound stew meat

1 pound hot sausage, chaurice
1 2 teaspoon thyme leaves

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste

1 2 teaspoon filé powder
Tabasco to taste!

Serves 8 to 10 over steamed rice.
1. Clean greens under cold running water, making sure to pick out bad
 leaves and rinse away any grit. Chop greens coarsely and place in a 
12-quart stockpot with the onions and garlic. Cover with water (about 1 
1/2 gallons), bring mixture to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook 
for 30 minutes.
2. Strain greens and reserve liquid.
3. Cut all meats, except the chaurice, into bite-size pieces (about 1
 inch pieces) and place in 12 quart stockpot with 2 cups of the reserved
 liquid. Steam over a high heat for 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile cut the chaurice into bite size pieces and place in a 
skillet over high heat to render, about 10 minutes. Remove chaurice, 
keeping the grease in the skillet and set aside.
5. Blend greens in a food processor until puréed.
6. Heat the skillet of chaurice grease over a high heat and add 
flour. Cook roux until flour is cooked, about 5 minutes (does not have 
to be brown). Pour roux over meat mixture and stir to combine.
7. Add pureed greens to the meat in the stockpot and 2 quarts of the 
reserved liquid. Let simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes.  Add 
chaurice, thyme and cayenne, stir well. Season and add some rough chopped assortment of greens to the pot and simmer for 40 60 - 90
minutes. Stir in filé powder and remove from heat. Serve over steamed 
rice...and add Tabasco/file' in bowl to taste.  