re: Rumor: Brian Kelly Puts Tomatoes in His Gumbo

Yea Gumbo is not a simple subject. There are thousands of versions of it. Putting in Tomatoes is definitely a Creole ( Mostly New Orleans ) version of it, but there can be exceptions ( it adds a sweet taste I dont like ). New Orleans before French owned was Spanish who used far more Tomatoes than French and it stuck. Hell, most of the French Quarter including Bourbon Street Buildings is actually of Spanish influence and not French.

There are basically three different types of Roux's to make Gumbo which adds to the complexity. The Main ingredients add another complexity. And for the final stage is to make it with or without Okrey ( which is how its pronounced in Mississippi ) or File or a combination of the two for the thickeners. Me personally as much as I love Okrey, I dont use it in Gumbo. I use File. I've had ppl from several states including LA say that it was the best. If you use Okrey fry it a little bit to get rid of some of the sliminess.