Best Creole Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Submitted by Nadia Melkowits

"This is a really tasty gumbo that is also easy to make. For more authentic taste you can add 1/4 cup of Gumbo Filé Powder spice before you serve. I hope you get to enjoy this as much as we do! Note: If this is too mild for your taste you can add some hot sauce as you serve. I made this for my 1 year old and I had to cut down on the spice."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 50mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Yields: 1 bowl
• Serves: 10

ingredients

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 large chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 cup of chopped green pepper
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 14 ounces fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 lbs frozen sliced okra
• 1 lb peeled shrimp
• 1 lb shrimp, head on
• 1 lb smoked sausage (casing peeled and sliced into bite size)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups shrimp stock or 2 cups bouillon
• 1 tablespoon creole seasoning (such as Slap ya Mama)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• 2 bay leaves

directions

1. Slowly stir the flour into heated oil in a heavy cast iron skillet. Continue to stir until the flour is dark brown. Add the next 4 ingredients; stir until onions are clear. Add tomato paste and a cup of water. Add okra and tomatoes. Cook slowly, adding all the water and shrimp stock -a little at a time. Stir in sugar & creole seasoning. Cook for about an hour on a low fire, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of pot; adding water if necessary.
2. Add the shrimp ,sausage, parsley and the bay leaves. Cook another 30 minutes to an hour, adding seasoning to taste. Serve over boiled or steamed rice.