It has been raining nonstop in southern California and we are all stuck inside binging tv shows and eating. This weather has me in comfort food mood so I've been digging in freezer and pantry to see what dishes I can create. As a native of New Orleans I always have shrimp and okra in my arsenal so I decided to make a hearty stew. My grocery delivery accidentally gave me more jalapeños than I ordered so threw those in as well and made it a spicy shrimp and okra stew!
The base of the stew is pureed San Marzano tomatoes, the favorite and only tomatoes I eat. As a true Cajun I had to include the holy trinity - onions, bell peppers and celery.
You can use fresh or frozen okra, they both work great in this recipe. I also love me some big shrimps so go for the largest you can find to add to the stew.
Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add in the holy trinity and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant.
Add in pureed tomatoes, okra, and stock, and stir to combine with the holy trinity. Sprinkle in Tony's seasoning and Italian seasoning and stir into the sauce. Cover and let simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until flavors meld and sauce reduces.
Season shrimp with Tony's seasoning and paprika and set aside. In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot add in jalapeños and sauté for 2 minutes. Add shrimp to skillet and arrange in a single layer. Let cook untouched for 2 minutes. Then, stir shrimp to combine with the jalapeños and oil for about another minute.
Pour entire contents of the skillet into the stew pot and stir into the sauce. Let stew sit on low for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes or enjoy as is. I ate mine with brown rice because I'm trying to start the new year off right :).
Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add in the holy trinity and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant.
Add in pureed tomatoes, okra, and stock, and stir to combine with the holy trinity. Sprinkle in Tony's seasoning and Italian seasoning and stir into the sauce. Cover and let simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until flavors meld and sauce reduces.
Season shrimp with Tony's seasoning and paprika and set aside. In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot add in jalapeños and sauté for 2 minutes. Add shrimp to skillet and arrange in a single layer. Let cook untouched for 2 minutes. Then, stir shrimp to combine with the jalapeños and oil for about another minute.
Pour entire contents of the skillet into the stew pot and stir into the sauce. Let stew sit on low for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes or enjoy as is. I ate mine with brown rice because I'm trying to start the new year off right :).