Hi Mary,
Here's one of my favorites, having spent about a year in New Orleans, before the floods washed it all away.
Shrimp Gumbo
- 1 1/2 cups crabmeat
- 2 pounds shrimp, in shells
- 3 quarts water
- 2 small bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 small onion, cut in wedges
- salt and black pepper
- parsley
- 2 pounds okra, sliced
- 4 tablespoons bacon grease, divided
- 4 tomatoes, peeled & chopped
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 green peppers, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
- 4 tablespoons brown roux
- reserved shrimp stock
- salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, to taste
- hot cooked rice
In a large Dutch oven boil the water with bay leaves, lemon juice, onion wedges, salt, pepper, and parsley. Wash shrimp and add to pot; boil for 2 minutes. Peel shrimp and return shells to the stock for later use. Put Shrimp & Crab Meat in Refrigerator until ready to add to Gumbo.
Saute okra in 2 tablespoons bacon grease in large heavy skillet. The okra will turn darker as it cooks. When okra is soft, transfer to a stew pot and add tomatoes. Stir and mix together well. Clean skillet and heat remaining 2 tablespoons bacon grease. Sauté the chopped onion, green pepper, and red pepper. When soft, add to the stew pot.
In a saucepan, warm the roux; strain shrimp stock and stir into the roux. When well-blended, add to the large stew pot with the other ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, adding more strained stock if needed. Taste and add salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley to taste. Simmer for 1 to 2 hours longer; add the shrimp and crab meat and cook for 15 more minutes.
Serve with fresh boiled rice in soup bowls.
Serves 6 to 8.
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Thanks Again,
Phil Black