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Mardi Gras: Eula Mae's Cajun Seafood Gumbo

Source of Recipe

THE TABASCO COOKBOOK © 1993 by Paul McIlhenny with Barbara Hunter


List of Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil, divided

2 pounds fresh okra or 2 16-ounce packages frozen okra, thawed, thinly sliced (about 8 cups)

1 tablespoon white vinegar

4 quarts water

2 pounds cubed, cooked ham

3 large onions, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 head garlic, cloves peeled but left whole

1 green pepper, cored, seeded and diced

1 16-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

4 pounds medium shrimp, shelled and deveined

2 pounds lump crab meat

2 teaspoons TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce

6 cups cooked rice




Recipe

Heat 1/2 cup oil in large skillet (not cast iron) over medium heat and add okra. Cook, stirring frequently, until no longer ropy, about 30 minutes. Add vinegar and cook, stirring, another 10 minutes, until okra takes on brownish color and is reduced to about a quarter of its original volume. Put okra in medium bowl and set aside.

In large stockpot, over high heat, bring water to a boil. Meanwhile, add remaining 1/4 cup oil and ham to skillet. Sauté ham over medium-high heat about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. With slotted spoon, remove ham to stockpot. In same skillet, combine onions, celery, garlic and green pepper and cook, stirring constantly, 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Add vegetables, okra and tomatoes to stockpot; cover and simmer over medium heat 1 hour.

Reduce heat to very low, add shrimp and simmer very slowly 10 minutes. Add crab meat and TABASCO® Sauce; simmer an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Serve gumbo in soup bowls with mound of rice.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.