Heart Healthy Shrimp Gumbo With Cajun Spice Mix - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, in shells (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped green peppers (and or red sweet pepper)
4 stalks celery, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 ounce) cans low sodium beef broth
1 cup water
1 recipe cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (16 ounce) package frozen cut okra
3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice or 3 cups brown rice
green onion (optional)
bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preparation

Thaw shrimp, if frozen.
Peel and devein shrimp, leaving tails intact if desired.
Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels.
In a medium skillet, cook flour over medium heat about 6 minutes or until brown, stirring often.
Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside.
In a 4-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion, sweet pepper, celery, and garlic; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender.
Slowly whisk broth into browned flour.
Add broth mixture, water, and Cajun Spice Mix to Dutch oven.
Stir in okra.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add shrimp; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp is pink.
To Serve:
spoon gumbo into 8 bowls. Top each serving with rice, a shrimp, and a green onion, if desired.
If desired, pass hot pepper sauce. Makes 8 (1-1/4 cups gumbo plus 1/3 cup rice) servings.
Cajun Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed; 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.