Serve this Cajun specialty over brown rice.
Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo
Recipe courtesy of Susan Guillory
Cook Time 1.5 hrs.
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped okra
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ sweet green pepper, chopped
- ½ bunch parsley (with stems), chopped (1 cup)
- 8 to 10 scallions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
- 1 cup roux (see recipe below)
- 2 quarts water
- 1 4-pound chicken, cut up
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ pound shelled shrimp
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Roux
- 1 cup sesame oil
- 2 to 2¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
Preparation:
- Sauté the okra in 2 tablespoons oil until the soft and ropy texture is gone, 10 to 15 minutes. Set it aside.
- In a large saucepan heat the remaining oil and sauté the onions, celery, sweet green pepper, parsley, scallions, and garlic until wilted and softened, about 7 minutes.
- Add the roux and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then add the okra, chicken, cayenne, bay leaves, and thyme. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture for at least 1 hour. Fifteen minutes before serving, add the shrimp. Remove the bay leaves and serve the gumbo over brown rice.
Roux (Makes 2¾ cups)
- Stir the oil and flour together in a large, heavy saucepan. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, for 25 minutes. The roux will turn a dark golden brown and have the consistency of heavy cream.
- Cool the roux and store in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator, where it will keep in good condition for several months.