Seafood Gumbo: A Cajun Culinary Symphony
Seafood gumbo is a Cajun classic, and for good reason. It's a hearty, flavorful stew that's perfect for a cold night. This recipe is for a simple seafood gumbo that's made with shrimp, crab, and okra. It's easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Seafood gumbo has a long and storied history. It is believed to have originated in the 18th century, when French settlers in Louisiana began experimenting with the local ingredients. The dish quickly became popular, and it is now considered to be one of the signature dishes of Cajun cuisine. There are many different variations of seafood gumbo, but the basic ingredients are always the same: shrimp, crab, and okra. The shrimp and crab provide a rich, flavorful broth, while the okra thickens the stew and gives it a unique texture. Other common ingredients in seafood gumbo include onions, celery, bell peppers, and garlic. Some recipes also call for the addition of tomatoes or corn.
Seafood Gumbo: A Cajun Culinary Symphony Seafood Gumbo: A Cajun Culinary Symphony Seafood Gumbo: A Cajun Culinary Symphony Seafood Gumbo: A Cajun Culinary Symphony
Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 60 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound crab meat, picked over
  • 1 pound okra, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the shrimp and crab meat in a little oil.
  2. Remove the shrimp and crab meat from the pot and set aside.
  3. Add the okra, onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic to the pot and cook until the vegetables are softened.
  4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the gumbo has thickened.
  7. Stir in the shrimp and crab meat and cook until heated through.
  8. Serve the gumbo over rice.
Why It Works
  • The combination of shrimp, crab, and okra creates a rich, flavorful broth.
  • The okra thickens the stew and gives it a unique texture.
  • The vegetables add sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • The roux gives the gumbo a rich, brown color and a slightly nutty flavor.