Aimee Broussard & Co.

Heirloom Recipes + Sweet Southern Charm

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Gameday Gumbo With The Wonderbag {RECIPE}

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Wonderbag, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #WonderBag http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

Tailgate fans, brace yourselves.

I’m about to introduce you to your new best friend, the Wonderbag.

If I told you I not only delivered this piping hot Gameday Gumbo to LSU’s Homecoming game, but kept it warm throughout halftime without any cords, without any electricity, without any flames- would you believe me?

Gameday Gumbo Recipe

Well, you should. Because I did!

Ok, fine. The Wonderbag did.

Let’s take a walk through the Wonderbag’s day of SEC tailgating shall we?

11:00am

Gumbo components are assembled and  the pre- cooked chicken and sausage are brought to a boil on the stove; just like normal.

Gameday Gumbo Recipe

However, rather than simmering on the stove for hours the gumbo goes into the Wonderbag to continue cooking.

Just like a slow cooker, you’re going to fix it and forget about it while the Wonderbag does all the work.

Simply place your pot into the Wonderbag, drawstring it closed and it continues to cook your food for up to 12 hours while successfully not burning or over- cooking your meal.

Gameday Gumbo in the Wonderbag

The gumbo is continuing to hang out in the Wonderbag while other tailgating items are pulled together, and I finished getting ready for the evening.

 2:00pm 

Buckle up, Wonderbag it’s time to go experience Tiger Stadium!

Traveling with the Wonderbag

3:00pm 

The Wonderbag arrives at the tailgate destination and prepares to wow the guests with its ability to have retained the heat from that initial boil at 11:00am.

LSU Tiger Stadium

This is my mother in law saying “hooray, the Wonderbag has arrived! The wind is blowing the flame on my sterno cans and my Jambalaya won’t get warm!”.

LSU Tailgating

That’s not exactly what she was saying, but she was definitely impressed that my gumbo came out hot and ready to serve.

No cords. No electricity. No flames. Just one fluffy, clever insulating, festive printed Wonderbag.

4:00pm

The pot of gumbo comes out of the Wonderbag and I kid you not when I say that steam was coming off the pot…. 5 hours later.

Gameday Gumbo

Gameday Gumbo Recipe

 4:15pm 
I sample the Wonderbag’s Gameday Gumbo for myself.
Gameday Gumbo
You know when you complain that you’re never “in” any of your photos, and then you get caught in one. While eating?
Awesome.
But it at least shows you I eat what I make.
5:15pm
The pot of Gameday Gumbo goes back into the Wonderbag, not necessarily to reheat but just to conserve some space as it goes back into the car.
 Kickoff is at 6:00pm and the tailgate tents get put away as we head into the stadium.
LSU
At halftime, I head home.
And when I take out the pot it’s still warm. Perhaps not ideal gumbo temperature warm, but amazingly it’s still warm!
Now, as fun as it is to talk about how great the Wonderbag can deliver hot Gumbo to your next tailgate, we need to talk about the real reason the Wonderbag exists.
Founded in South Africa, the Wonderbag was actually created to ease the social, economical and environmental impacts of wood fire cooking. Using the Wonderbag helps save water, reduces the carbon footprint and minimizes deforestation and smoke inhalation deaths.
Wonderbag Info
With just one Wonderbag, one ton of carbon, 1.7 trees, 3,000 liters of water and 1,248 hours collecting firewood are eliminated over the period of one year.
With the use of the Wonderbag, women are able to reduce the time spent cooking fireside and spend more time with their families, tending other duties, or working other jobs that bring in financial resources.
And you know what else? Your purchase of a single  Wonderbag on Amazon will also provide a Wonderbag to a family in need in Africa.
How cool is that?
So often we take for granted the luxuries we are afforded. Tailgating without electrical cords? Luxury.
Empowering and equipping a family with the means to provide for their family and eliminating 4-6 hours daily standing over an open flame? Well, that’s just the right thing to do.
You can follow the Wonderbag story here:
And if you’ve made it this far through the post and were wondering if I was going to share my Gameday Gumbo recipe with you, you’re in luck.
Gameday Gumbo
Recipe Type: Gameday Gumbo
Cuisine: Southern
Author: Aimee
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 1 lb andouille, sliced (and lean smoked sausage will work)
  • 4 cups cooked chicken breast halves cut up into bite size pieces
  • 1-3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 medium green bell pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning (or 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
  • 1 tsp Tabasco
  • 3 tbsp chopped parsley
  • **1/2 lb fresh shrimp** (optional)
Instructions
  1. Cook andouille over high heat for approx 5 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  3. Using the remaining sausage drippings, add enough oil to equal 3 tbsp, and whisk in flour. Cook over medium high heat, whisking constantly. Once your roux is dark brown and smooth, add onion, celery, garlic and bell pepper; stirring often.
  4. Stir in broth and seasonings.
  5. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  6. Add sausage and chicken and simmer another 5 minutes.
  7. Serve over hot rice.

About Aimee

Southern born and raised, Aimee enjoys living life in the deep South with husband Brian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Milo, Murph, Tucker and their occasional foster dog. A graduate of Louisiana College, she once haphazardly traded in a career in corporate insurance for the aprons and ovens of her kitchen. AimeeBroussard.com is the online diary of her journey as an award-winning cookie creator and two-time cookbook author.

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Comments

    • Aimee says

      Right?! And potlucks, bible studies- basically anytime you need a warm meal and don’t want to fight for counter space or electrical cords. Thanks for your comment!!! 🙂

      Reply

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