Thread: Gumbo file' &/or/vs. rootbeer

Sky wrote:

> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other?

Root beer has more than just sassafras flavor. (Note that the FDA banned
sassafras in root beer quite a few years ago.) You can REALLY taste the
wintergreen in some brands of root beer. Birch beer and sarsparilla are
similar to root beer but not much like gumbo filé. Of course you don't have
ANY natural flavors in the cheap root beers. (Hmmm... Given that wintergreen
flavor flavor I mentioned, I wonder how root beer would be as the braising
liquid for lamb.)

So the bottom line is no, they really can't be substituted for each other;
they're not very much alike.

Bob

Bob Terwilliger wrote:

> (Hmmm... Given that wintergreen
> flavor flavor I mentioned, I wonder how root beer would be as the braising
> liquid for lamb.)

Considering that the only mint I really "like" (besides that little
chocolate mint plant growing on our patio) is wintergreen, and I do love
rootbeer, I'd be willing to give it a try.

--Lin

Lin wrote:

>> (Hmmm... Given that wintergreen flavor flavor I mentioned, I wonder how
>> root beer would be as the braising liquid for lamb.)
>
> Considering that the only mint I really "like" (besides that little
> chocolate mint plant growing on our patio) is wintergreen, and I do love
> rootbeer, I'd be willing to give it a try.

The brand which has that strong wintergreen flavor is Henry Weinhardt's.
BevMo carries it.

Bob

"Sky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
> (whatever!)?
>
> Sky, who's just curious
>
> --
> Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
> Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!


don't think I'd like that 'little bit o' fizz' in my gumbo (smile). The
only thing I've seen root beer used for (and my recipe calls for a specific
brand - not a store brand) is pulled pork. Boneless pork loin of around 3-4
lbs. and a 16 oz. bottle of root beer in a crock pot until the meat falls
apart.
-ginny

On 2010-06-11, Sky <[email protected]> wrote:
> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other?

Probably not, as I doubt there are any commercial root beers that
actually include real sassafras. In fact, sassafras was banned as an
ingredient in root beer until the health food whackos lobbied to turn
dietary supplements into a dangerous free-for-all. Read the wiki on
sassafras and follow a few relevent links. Very enlightening.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassafras

nb

On 6/11/2010 7:46 AM, Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
> "Sky"<[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
>> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
>> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
>> (whatever!)?
>>
>> Sky, who's just curious
>>
>> --
>> Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
>> Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!
>
>
> don't think I'd like that 'little bit o' fizz' in my gumbo (smile). The
> only thing I've seen root beer used for (and my recipe calls for a specific
> brand - not a store brand) is pulled pork. Boneless pork loin of around 3-4
> lbs. and a 16 oz. bottle of root beer in a crock pot until the meat falls
> apart.
> -ginny
>
>

I've a friend who swears by his momma's recipe for cooking a ham, pour
Dr. Pepper all over the ham and the cover it with file', bake. I tried a
slice once at his house and nearly threw up. His current wife won't let
him make it as he is the only one who will eat it.

"George Shirley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ...
> On 6/11/2010 7:46 AM, Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>> "Sky"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>>> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
>>> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
>>> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
>>> (whatever!)?
>>>
>>> Sky, who's just curious
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
>>> Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!
>>
>>
>> don't think I'd like that 'little bit o' fizz' in my gumbo (smile). The
>> only thing I've seen root beer used for (and my recipe calls for a
>> specific
>> brand - not a store brand) is pulled pork. Boneless pork loin of around
>> 3-4
>> lbs. and a 16 oz. bottle of root beer in a crock pot until the meat falls
>> apart.
>> -ginny
>>
>>
>
> I've a friend who swears by his momma's recipe for cooking a ham, pour Dr.
> Pepper all over the ham and the cover it with file', bake. I tried a slice
> once at his house and nearly threw up. His current wife won't let him make
> it as he is the only one who will eat it.

I gack at the thought of Dr. Pepper, too (smile).
-ginny

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:10:09 -0500, George Shirley wrote:

> On 6/11/2010 7:46 AM, Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>> "Sky"<[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>>> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
>>> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
>>> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
>>> (whatever!)?
>>>
>>> Sky, who's just curious
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
>>> Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!
>>
>>
>> don't think I'd like that 'little bit o' fizz' in my gumbo (smile). The
>> only thing I've seen root beer used for (and my recipe calls for a specific
>> brand - not a store brand) is pulled pork. Boneless pork loin of around 3-4
>> lbs. and a 16 oz. bottle of root beer in a crock pot until the meat falls
>> apart.
>> -ginny
>>
>>
>
> I've a friend who swears by his momma's recipe for cooking a ham, pour
> Dr. Pepper all over the ham and the cover it with file', bake. I tried a
> slice once at his house and nearly threw up. His current wife won't let
> him make it as he is the only one who will eat it.

his wife won't let him? by god, who wears the apron in his family?!?!

your pal,
blake

notbob wrote:
> Sky <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>> be substituted for each other?

File' is made from the almost flavorless leaves that act like starch.
Root been used to be made from the flavor filled root bark.

> Probably not, as I doubt there are any commercial root beers that
> actually include real sassafras. In fact, sassafras was banned as an
> ingredient in root beer until the health food whackos lobbied to turn
> dietary supplements into a dangerous free-for-all. Read the wiki on
> sassafras and follow a few relevent links. Very enlightening.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassafras

About 1990 I read up on saferole and decided to make a couple of
batches of real root beer from scratch using an old recipe. I think
Eric Hughes then at Berkeley posted the book reference on RFC. The
resulting brew was too wierd for anyone who tried it.

Sky <[email protected]> wrote in news:4C11E242.5325
@NOsbcglobal.SnPeAtM:

> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can
they
> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely
as
> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
> (whatever!)?
>
> Sky, who's just curious
>

Hey Sky,

Read this, I hope it answers your question.


> Filé powder
> From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
>
> Filé powder, also called gumbo filé, is a spice made from dried and
ground sassafras leaves. It is used in the making of some types of
gumbo, a Creole and Cajun soup/stew. It is sprinkled sparingly over
gumbo as a seasoning and a thickening agent, giving it a distinctive
flavor and texture. Filé can provide thickening when okra is not in
season.[1]
>
> Unlike sassafras roots, sassafras leaves do not contain a detectable
amount of safrole.[2] Safrole is toxic to the liver and somewhat
carcinogenic.[3][4]



--
regards,

piedmont (michael)

the practical bbq'r!; http://sites.google.com/site/thepracticalbbqr/

SeeSig>(mawil55)

Bob Terwilliger wrote:
> Sky wrote:
>
>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>> be substituted for each other?
>
> Root beer has more than just sassafras flavor. (Note that the FDA banned
> sassafras in root beer quite a few years ago.) You can REALLY taste the
> wintergreen in some brands of root beer. Birch beer and sarsparilla are
> similar to root beer but not much like gumbo filé. Of course you don't have
> ANY natural flavors in the cheap root beers. (Hmmm... Given that wintergreen
> flavor flavor I mentioned, I wonder how root beer would be as the braising
> liquid for lamb.)
>
> So the bottom line is no, they really can't be substituted for each other;
> they're not very much alike.
>
> Bob
>

If you want something similar to commercial rootbeer, use those little
bottles of McCormick's or Schilling's rootbeer extract and follow the
directions -- they make 5 gallons, and it doesn't keep very well.

If you want to make your own from scratch, and want it to taste
recognizable, rather than sassafras I think the primary flavors should
be wintergreen and molasses with a little vanilla. (wild cherry bark
is another possibility.)

Filé powder won't work at all. Well, maybe as a minor ingredient, but
it won't get you the sassafras root smell you want.

Bob

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:14:10 -0500, Sky <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
> (whatever!)?
>
> Sky, who's just curious

Would you just heat up some root beer if you wanted sassafras tea?

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:05:45 GMT, notbob <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 2010-06-11, Sky <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
>> be substituted for each other?
>
>Probably not, as I doubt there are any commercial root beers that
>actually include real sassafras. In fact, sassafras was banned as an
>ingredient in root beer until the health food whackos lobbied to turn
>dietary supplements into a dangerous free-for-all. Read the wiki on
>sassafras and follow a few relevent links. Very enlightening.
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassafras
>
>nb

Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasparilla

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:05:45 GMT, notbob <[email protected]> wrote:

> Read the wiki on sassafras and follow a few relevent links.

Dear god, nb. It's people like you who got me into trouble with the
Wiki word police. Say Wikipedia when you mean Wikipedia or I'll
continue to call it Wiki too.


--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

On 2010-06-11, sf <[email protected]> wrote:

> Dear god, nb. It's people like you who got me into trouble with the
> Wiki word police.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_God

I didn't read it, also.

nb

Sky wrote:
> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
> (whatever!)?
>
> Sky, who's just curious
>

I have heard of the older version of "root beer" sold as "sassperells"
used in various foods i just cant remember which?

--

Mr. Joseph Paul Littleshoes Esq.

Domine, dirige nos.

Let the games begin!
http://fredeeky.typepad.com/fredeeky.../sf_anthem.mp3

On 6/11/2010 11:07 AM, zxcvbob wrote:
> If you want something similar to commercial rootbeer, use those little
> bottles of McCormick's or Schilling's rootbeer extract and follow the
> directions -- they make 5 gallons, and it doesn't keep very well.
>
> If you want to make your own from scratch, and want it to taste
> recognizable, rather than sassafras I think the primary flavors should
> be wintergreen and molasses with a little vanilla. (wild cherry bark
> is another possibility.)
>
> Filé powder won't work at all. Well, maybe as a minor ingredient, but
> it won't get you the sassafras root smell you want.
>
> Bob

When I was a kid, my sister and I would dig up small pieces of sassafras
root for my grandmother. She would steep it in a pot of hot water, then
sweeten it. I tasted it when it was hot and tasted like root beer. I
never tasted it chilled.

Becca

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:34:45 -0500, Becca <[email protected]> wrote:

> When I was a kid, my sister and I would dig up small pieces of sassafras
> root for my grandmother.

My grandmother made it too, except we didn't harvest roots although we
did have sassafras growing in the woods.

> She would steep it in a pot of hot water, then
> sweeten it. I tasted it when it was hot and tasted like root beer. I
> never tasted it chilled.

I've never equated sassafras tea and the taste of root beer, nor do I
taste any mint in modern root beer. We don't drink sweet tea
either... not even when it's sassafras.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

"Sky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Since both gumbo file' and rootbeer are derived from sassafras, can they
> be substituted for each other? I've used the former perhaps once or
> twice and the latter only with vanilla ice cream as a float or solely as
> a sodapop drink. What and how else do the two have in common
> (whatever!)?
>
> Sky, who's just curious
>


Given that file' is a ground powder made from sasafrass and the other is a
sickly sweet liquid full of artificial crap, one would think the answer is
obvious. I guess you weren't around for the gumbo cook-along

Jill