Shrimp Gumbo ~ The Southern Scoop’s Recipe of the Month
Shrimp Gumbo ~ The Southern Scoop’s Recipe of the Month contains shellfish, a known food allergen and as such is not intended for those sensitive or allergic to shellfish.
It’s that time of year when the dishes we bring to family gatherings say more about us than what our Christmas sweaters look like. This quick and simple Coastal Southern dish takes about 15 minutes of preparation and then periodic stirring over two hours while you enjoy watching “A Christmas Story” with the kids on a relaxing Saturday or Sunday. The quality of your shrimp gumbo will rely on the quality of the shrimp and fresh vegetables used, so don’t cut corners!
What you’ll need for your Shrimp Gumbo
~ 2 pounds of medium shrimp; peeled and de-veined
~ 2 pounds of okra coin-sliced about 1/2″ thick
~ 1 tbsp. tomato paste
~ Salt and pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
~ 1 whole tomato, freshly chopped
~ 1 whole chopped sweet onion
~ 4 cloves of fresh minced garlic
~ 1 cup of chopped celery
~ 1 cup of chopped green or red bell pepper
~ 12 cups of water
~ 1 cup chopped green onion
~ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Preparation
~ Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Cover and let marinade for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of your gumbo.
~ Heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in your large cooking pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the okra and saute for 25-30 minutes, stirring frequently. Once complete, add the tomato paste, chopped tomato, onion and bell pepper, minced garlic, and saute for 15-20 more minutes or until the chopped vegetables are soft and semi-translucent.
~ Add the 12 cups of water and season to taste. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to low.
~ Simmer for 45 minutes to allow time for the flavors to develop.
~ Add shrimp and simmer for another 20 minutes. *Be careful and attentive so as to not overcook the shrimp, nobody likes rubber in their gumbo!*
~ Lastly, add the chopped green onion and stir.
Enjoy!
We hope you like our Shrimp Gumbo ~ The Southern Scoop’s Recipe of the Month. If you haven’t seen our other recipes make sure you check the Gulf Coast blog! Since we’ve got you covered from Panama City, Florida to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan Alabama, make sure to browse on over to our events page to find out about what’s happening in your vacation area! Thank you for being a part of the Southern family, and we’ll see you next month with another delicious quick recipe!