Steps into the kitchen of Roots Southern Table in Dallas and you'll be greeted with the savory aroma of Seafood Gumbo, a favorite on the menu. Its creator, Chef Tiffany Derry, asserts, “Gumbo is my favorite food group.” For Derry, gumbo is more than a mere dish, it brings back cherished family memories. “Growing up, my grandmother would make gigantic pots of gumbo, and we would eat it all day and night. My mother soon after started to take over making it and improved the recipe. Now they say I have done the same.”

The treasure of Derry’s Seafood Gumbo lies in its diverse combination of ingredients. It consists of chicken breasts and thighs, andouille sausage, blue crabs and shrimp. To avoid the gooey texture that okra often brings, Derry roasts it before mixing it into the gumbo.

In the Southern kitchen, gumbo is traditionally accompanied by robust, starchy sides. “Cornbread was always on the table,” says Derry, whose Cheddar, Corn and Jalapeno Cast-Iron Cornbread fit flawlessly with this gumbo. Rice or hush puppies are also crowd favorites.

Gumbo enthusiasts wishing for a more sea-driven taste can replace half of the chicken stock with seafood or fish stock. For the uninitiated, preparation of blue crabs involves removing the top shell and apron, the gills, followed by a thorough rinse. The distinct flavor in Derry’s gumbo comes from filé powder, or ground sassafras leaves, available at specialty spice stores or online.

Creating the perfect gumbo begins with making a smooth roux. It serves as both a thickener and a flavoring agent in many Creole dishes, including gumbo. Continual whisking of the flour and oil mixture ensures even browning and prevents charring at the bottom.

To counterbalance the heat from the andouille sausage, cayenne pepper and hot sauce, Derry suggests pairing the gumbo with a rich, dark brown ale like Abita Brewing Company Turbodog.

The robust flavor of the gumbo comes alive after being stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. So, get your ladle ready for a hearty bowl of Southern comfort like no other.