Spiced Shrimp Étouffée
Ingredients
Directions
Ingredients
4 tbsp
(1/2 stick) unsalted butter
¼ c
all-purpose flour
2
medium onions, peeled and chopped into ¼-inch pieces
2
large green bell peppers, seeded and chopped into ¼-inch pieces
6
medium celery stalks with leaves, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
3
large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1
large tomato (cored and diced) or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
3 c
clam juice, chicken broth, or vegetable broth
2 tsp
fresh coarsely ground black peppercorns
2 tsp
ground cardamom
2 tsp
ground coriander
2 tsp
ground ginger
¼ tsp
cayenne pepper
1 tsp
kosher salt
1 ½ lb
peeled large shrimp (31 to 35 count)
Spiced Shrimp Étouffée
If you are up for the task, it is always wise to buy shrimp with the shells and heads on—because then you can make shrimp stock with the removed heads and shells. More flavor is almost always better. If you like your food fiery, increase the amount of cayenne—or eliminate the cayenne, if you do not.
Adapted from My Two Souths by Asha Gomez.
4-6 servings
- In a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon and breaking up any lumps as you stir. You want the roux to be a lush golden brown, which takes about 8 minutes. Carefully add the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic, stir well, turn the heat to low, and cover. Stir again after 10 minutes and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and clam juice (or broth) to the pot, stir, and then add 1 teaspoon each of the black pepper, cardamom, coriander, and ginger, as well as the cayenne and ½ teaspoon of the kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until the tomatoes have fallen apart and the liquid has reduced by about half, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, season the shrimp with the remaining black pepper, cardamom, coriander, ginger, and kosher salt. Add the shrimp to the pot and stir. Cook the shrimp until they are cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with rice or flatbreads.
Scott Hocker
Scott Hocker is a writer, editor, recipe developer, cookbook author, and content and editorial consultant. He has worked in magazines, kitchens, newsletters, restaurants and a bunch of other environments he can’t remember right now. He has also been the editor in chief of both liquor.com and Tasting Table.