How to Cook Shrimp Gumbo

Serves: 12

Ingredients needed to make shrimp gumbo:

• 3 lb shrimps, peeled and deveined
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 3 cups okra, sliced
• 1 ½ cups celery, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup white onions, chopped
• 1 ½ cup green onion tops
• 1 ½ cup bell peppers, chopped
• 1 cup self rising flour
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato puree
• 2 quarts water
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 cup peanut oil
• 8 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 2 tbsp cajun spice blend
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 2 tsp salt

Cooking instructions for shrimp gumbo:

• Drizzle oil over the flour and whisk them into a smooth mixture with minimal or no lumps.
• Pour it into a cast iron skillet and heat it over slow flame for about half an hour, while whisking it continuously.
• Once the colour of the mixture changes to that of a chocolate, season with the thyme, parsley, oregano and a dash of salt.
• Cook for another minute and set the roux aside.
• Melt butter in a separate skillet and throw in the celery, onions, garlic, bell pepper and celery.
• Saute them until the veggies soften and set aside.
• Pour the water and chicken broth into a stockpot along with the diced tomatoes and its puree, green onions as well as the sauteed veggies.
• Sprinkle half of the cajun spice blend over them and give it a nice stir to mix well
• Heat the mixture until it warms up and whisk in the prepared roux.
• Simmer it gently, covered, for a couple of hours.
• Stir the okra into the simmering gumbo during the last half hour of cooking, followed by the shrimp.
• Season with rest of the spice blend and adjust the seasonings according to your preference.
• Pour it over steamed white rice and serve immediately.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Last Updated on December 14, 2012 by