Recipe for Shrimp Étouffée

Ingredients

This recipe will serve 6

• 2 tbs oil
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ medium onion diced
• ½ cup green bell pepper diced
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 3 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp thyme fresh or dried
• 2 bay leafs
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 4 tsp Creole seasoning(2tsp for shrimp)(you can either buy this pre-mixed or you can use my mixture which I've added below)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups Shrimp stock
• 1 pound shell on shrimp keep shells for stock
• 2-3 Tbs chopped parsley
• 2 green onions chopped

The most important part of this recipe is the base stock.

1. Add 1-2tsp of oil to your stock pot.
2. Toss in your shrimp shells, scraps of onion, garlic, celery, bay leaf, thyme and garlic.
3. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, to prevent any burns. Add about 4-5 cups of water.
4. Bring to a boil, lower heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain using a sieve.

Set stock aside.

The Main Dish

1. In large pot add onion, green pepper and celery and sauté for 8 minutes stirring frequently.
2. Add in garlic, thyme and bay leaf continue to stir for 4 minutes.
3. Next add in 1 cup diced tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, paprika and creole seasoning and let it cook for 5 minutes.
4. Gradually pour in about 2-3 cups of shrimp stock, bring to a boil lower heat and let simmer 5 minutes.
   *At this point begin sautéing shrimp for 5 minutes with 1-2tsp oil. Season with 2tsp creole seasoning. *
5. In separate bowl mix together 3tbs oil and flour to create a roux which will be used to thicken stock. Bring stock back to a boil and slowly add in roux, mixing constantly until desired thickness is reached. If too thick adjust by adding more stock.
6. Stir in green onions and chopped parsley. Keep some aside for garnish if you wish
7. Serve with or over rice.

8. Let your family fawn over your cajun cooking prowess.

Creole Cajun Seasoning

• 3 Tablespoons onion powder
• 3 Tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 ½ Tablespoons black pepper
• 1 ½ Tablespoons white pepper
• 6 Tablespoons paprika
• ½ - 1 Tablespoons cayenne pepper (adjust to suit taste buds)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons oregano
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons dried basil

Combine all ingredients. Boom done!!