Gumbo Z'herbes with Perfect Rice

Ingredients

• •11 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• •4 cups smoked ham
• •2 tablespoons butter
• •6 cups leeks
• •2 cups celery
• •2 cups green onions
• •1 cup Italian parsley
• •5 cloves garlic
• •3 tablespoons filé powder
• •1 tablespoon oregano
• •¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• •8 cups collard greens
• •8 cups mustard greens
• •4 cups watercress
• •4 cups spinach
• •½ teaspoon sugar
• •10 cups chicken broth
• •¾ cup flour
• •2 cups rice

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy extra-large pot over medium-high heat. Add ham; sauté until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl and reserve. Melt butter in same large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and celery. Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. Add green onions, parsley, and garlic. Sauté until onions wilt, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add filé powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir 3 minutes. Add collard greens, mustard greens, watercress, spinach, and sugar. Toss to combine. Add 2 cups broth. Cover and cook until all greens are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Remove pot from heat.

   40 min

2. 2.

   Working in batches of 2 cups, puree greens in processor, scraping down sides occasionally. Transfer puree to bowl.

   10 min

3. 3.

   Heat 10 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add flour; whisk until smooth. Cook until roux is peanut butter color, whisking often, about 7 minutes. Whisk in remaining 8 cups broth and bring to boil, whisking often. Add greens puree, then ham. Simmer gumbo 10 minutes to blend flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.)

   20 min

4. 4.

   Mound 1/4 cup warm rice in center of each bowl. Ladle gumbo around rice.

   5 min

5. 5.

   *A powder made from ground sassafras leaves; available in the spice section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.