Shrimp Gumbo From Scratch

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This recipe comes from my good friend robert's mother. It was written on a scrap of paper in no particular order. As with all my recipes, it is a starting point so please, feel free to adapt it to your personal tastes...if you don't like okra, leave it out. If you like smoked sausage in your gumbo, add it. We like crab claws in ours but they weren't in the original recipe. There is also a louisiana spice in it called slap ya mama that you can find on line, which is robert's addition to his mama's recipe. Tony's seasoning would do in a pinch. Also don't rush making the roux...it takes time and patience.

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Steps

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Stir together oil and flour in a cast iron skillet.

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Cook over medium low heat 30 to 40 minutes stirring constantly , until chocolate brown , adding thyme , oregano , parsley and salt halfway through.

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In a seperate skillet , melt butter and saute white onion , celery , bell pepper and garlic until tender.

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In a stockpot combine chicken broth , water , tomatoes , tomato paste , green onions , sauted vegetables and 1 tbl slap ya mama and heat to warm.

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Add cooked roux to stockpot and slow simmer 2 hours adding the shrimp and okra the last half hour.

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The last half hour is also the time to add more slap ya mama and salt to taste.

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Serve over rice.

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Ingredients

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peanut oil, self rising flour, thyme, oregano, parsley, salt, butter, celery, bell peppers, white onion, garlic cloves, chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green onion tops, cajun spices, shrimp, okra