In typical Montreal fashion, the weather at this time of year is a mixture of warm Spring-like days and snowfalls. Luckily, this sausage and shrimp gumbo is perfect for all types of weather. Whether it’s hot or cold out, this dish is a great lunch or dinner option.
I don’t use okra often. To be honest, this recipe reminded me of why. There is something about its gelatinous texture that I do not enjoy. While I love how this dish tastes, I am left wondering if it needs the okra to achieve its delicious flavor. If you already know that okra just isn’t for you, don’t feel forced to use it! While some say that it isn’t a gumbo without the okra, others say this simply isn’t true.
The point of having the okra is to help thicken the soup. So, if you would rather use a different thickening agent, go right ahead! When I did a bit of research (thanks, Texas Real Food), I found that there are recommended substitutes like green beans, broccoli, eggplant, and others) . I would advise doing a bit of research to find a replacement that better suits your tastes!
Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo
Ingredients
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 cup each Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Celery, finely chopped
1/4 lb Andouille or Smoked Sausage, cut into 1/4-inch rounds
3 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
1 cup Brown Rice
1/2 cup Clam Juice
1 tsp Cajun Seasoning
1/3 lb Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Bay Leaf
Optional: 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen okra, thaw if frozen
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F.
In an ovenproof medium-sized pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Stirring frequently, add in the bell peppers, onions, and celery. Cook until the onions and bell peppers are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the sausage, okra if using, clam juice, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, add in the rice and stir.
Cover and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, recover it, and bake for another 15 minutes. The shrimp should be cooked through and the rice should be tender.
Serve with some freshly grated pepper.
Enjoy!
Related:
Lentil and Carrot Soup Recipe
Coconut Lentil Curry with Pork Recipe
Butternut Squash and Sausage Stew Recipe