Shrimp Creole

Traditionally a roux-and-tomato-based dish, Shrimp Creole in my new version has Vietnamese influences; it’s spicy and sweet, full of herbs and flavor. Any ultraripe tomatoes will work. The amounts given feed a typical Sunday supper at my house; for six to eight, halve the ingredients, but don’t worry too much: there’s a lot of forgiveness.

From My New Orleans by John Besh/Andrews McMeel Publishing

Seafood

Main Course

Spicy

Ingredients

5 pounds jumbo Louisiana or wild American shrimp, peeled and deveined		5 pounds overripe Brandywine or other heirloom tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
Salt		1 bay leaf
Freshly ground black pepper		1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon minced fresh lemongrass		1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup olive oil		Leaves from 2 branches fresh basil, chopped
3 medium onions, diced		Leaves from 1 sprig fresh mint, chopped
10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced		Sugar
1 stalk celery, diced		6-8 cups cooked Basic Louisiana White Rice (see link in recipe below)
1 bell pepper, red, gree, or yellow, seeded and diced

directions

Prep: 5 min Total: 15 min (Quick)

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1
Put the shrimp into a large bowl, season with salt and pepper, then mix in the lemongrass. Heat ¼ cup of the oil in a large deep skillet over moderate heat. Add the shrimp, stirring and tossing them with a spatula. Sauté until they turn pink, about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside while you make the sauce.
2
Into the same skillet with the oil and shrimp juices, put the remaining ¼ cup oil and the onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 2 minutes.
3
Add the tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and when the sauce comes to a simmer add the bay leaf, allspice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4
Add the shrimp back to the skillet along with the basil and mint. Cook for a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce tastes too tart, add a little sugar to balance the flavor. Remove the bay leaf. Serve over steamed Louisiana white rice.
5

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Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

directions