Husband's Grandmother's Shrimp Gumbo

A family specialty, this authentic gumbo was prepared for Cajun festivals, and people lined up to taste it! Serve this gumbo over cooked white rice.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 3 hr
• Calories: 344 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound smoked sausage links, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 cups chopped okra
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup chopped green onions
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.66666668653488 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 pound bacon, chopped
• 0.66666668653488 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 0.66666668653488 cup finely chopped celery

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Brown sausages in a skillet over medium heat. Drain sausages on a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Drain skillet. Cook bacon until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove bacon to the plate with sausages. Cook okra in bacon drippings until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain okra in a colander. Drain the skillet.

Step 2

Place okra and tomatoes in the skillet over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, green onions, parsley, and garlic. Cook until onions turn brown, about 10 minutes. Remove vegetables, leaving liquid in the pot behind. Stir in flour, reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until roux turns the color of milk chocolate, 30 to 45 minutes. Do not burn.

Step 4

Whisk in 2 cups water, raise the heat to medium, and stir in salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in sausage, bacon, okra-tomato mixture, and remaining 6 cups water.

Step 5

Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gumbo, stirring occasionally, until stew thickens and flavors are blended, about 45 minutes. Add shrimp, and simmer until pink and opaque, 6 to 8 more minutes. Discard bay leaves and adjust seasonings, if desired, before serving.