Gumbo Love by Lucy Buffett
Gumbo brings to mind deep delicious flavors. I couldn’t think of a better title for this beautiful cookbook by Lucy Buffett. I think I have tasted every single page of my review copy. Here is a bit about the book!
About Gumbo Love:
A delicious love letter to the Gulf Coast’s vibrant food culture, by Jimmy Buffett’s sister and owner of two beloved destination restaurants in Alabama and Florida.
Incorporating Caribbean, Cajun, Cuban, Mexican, Old Florida, and Creole influences, Lucy proves through her collection of recipes that the Gulf Coast has its own distinct flavors and traditions that make it a destination year after year. Surviving hurricanes, the Gulf Coast—beyond just New Orleans—has a vibrant food and culture that’s gone largely unnoticed. Lucy wants to change that by sharing her food and stories with GUMBO LOVE readers.
Like her brother, Jimmy, Lucy celebrates freedom, relaxation, and seaside decadence in her own art–cooking, and has now written the cookbook her fans have been asking her for; one that offers the recipes she’s famous for, along with Gulf Coast classics and stories of growing up in Mobile, Alabama, working in New Orleans, and her philosophy of relaxation, gratitude, and enjoyment.
Lucy combines over one hundred new recipes with old favorites. Her fans will find recipes for their social occasions including gumbos, main dishes, deep-fried favorites (with her easy frying tutorial), salads, seasonings, libations, and desserts. They will also learn how Lucy navigates the kitchen, her business, and her family and readers will come away with the basic ingredients of an inspiring life philosophy.
What is Gumbo Love?
My Thoughts:
Where do I begin? This is much more than a cookbook. It is full of beautiful images and stories that bring food and family to life. Buffett’s descriptions take you off the pages of this book and transports you to lands of delectable delights! The book not only offers recipes, but also has a few “how to” sections that folks might find helpful, such as, “How to Shuck an Oyster.” Another feature of this book is a menu section on how to plan various parties and what to serve. The book is what I would like to call a lifestyle cookbook since the range of recipes, tips, planning, and even life lessons are intertwined here. Lucy brings her lifestyle and love of cooking together in this book. I can’t wait to get cooking! Oh, and did I mention that there is also a section of cocktail recipes? Oh, yes, it will be margaritas for me this weekend! A wonderful purchase for yourself or a great gift for the foodie in your life!
Lucy’s Spicy Shrimp Ceviche:
- 2 pounds poached wild-caught Gulf shrimp (recipe follows)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- ¾ cup peeled, seeded, and chopped cucumber
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
- ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus ¼ cup for serving, if desired
- Juice of 5 limes (about 1 cup)
- Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup)
- Juice of 1 orange (about ½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced (optional)
- 2 limes, quartered (optional)
- Chop the shrimp into thirds or bite-size pieces, or leave them whole if you prefer, and place in a large bowl.
- Add the red onion, celery, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeño, garlic, ginger, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, salt, white pepper, and sugar and stir well.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. While the mixture marinates, occasionally turn the container to evenly coat the shrimp in the liquid.
- Transfer the shrimp and liquid to a glass bowl to serve or divide among eight martini glasses. If desired, garnish with avocado, cilantro, and lime.
Author Bio:
Lucy “LuLu” Buffett cooked her way from coast to coast before returning home to Alabama to open a modest little bayside gumbo and burger joint that doubled as a bait shop. Now, she is the successful restaurateur of two locations of LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Destin, Florida, where she serves over a million guests a year. Her adventures-culinary and otherwise-inspired her to write LuLu’s Kitchen (formerly self-published as Crazy Sista Cooking), and now Gumbo Love.
Heather Lawrence says
I have friends that are big seafood fans and I am sure they would love to get their hands on this cookbook. We have shellfish allergies in our family so I have never actually tried gumbo before but it smells delicious!
Monica says
I’m so excited to know about Lucy and her restaurants. My parents live on the Gulf Coast and when I visit we love to explore new things. In the meantime I’ll have to order her cookbook and try some at home. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!
Sapana V says
Nice recipe. I would love to try it.
Brandi Crawford says
I am a huge foodie and I collect cookbooks. This looks like one that I need to add to my collection. The spicy cevice looks amazing! I love spicy and seafood. Great combo.
Rebecca Bryant says
YUM!! I must find her place here in FL and try it out. Her recipes sound delicious and my family would love them.
keikilani says
I would like a bowl full of that shrimp ceviche please! Looks so good and so fresh! Yum
Stephanie Jeannot says
I definitely would not mind learning how to shuck an oyster., Sounds like you’d be gettign much more than just a cook book with this. Awesome!
Melanie says
THat family sure knows how to cook! The recipes you’ve shared are enticing. Can’t wait to see what else she’s included in her book.
Katriza says
Everything looks so good, I can’t wait to see the recipes she’s included in this book!