She Strengthens

Shaking Up Tradition: A Unique Gumbo Recipe

Breaking the Mold

When it comes to gumbo, most recipes stick to traditional methods, but this one dares to be different. By skipping the roux and “Cajun Trinity” of bell peppers, onions, and celery, this gumbo proves that sometimes, shaking up tradition can lead to something truly special.

Key Ingredients

Before diving into the recipe, it’s essential to understand the importance of a few key ingredients. Shell-on shrimp, deveined or not, provide the foundation for this dish. Fresh okra acts as a natural thickener, while tasso ham adds a rich, smoky flavor. If you can’t find tasso, pancetta or other types of ham can be used as a substitute.

The Recipe

Shrimp Stock

• 2 pounds large shell-on shrimp
• 4 cups water

Peel the shrimp, reserving the shells for the stock. If desired, devein the cleaned shrimp and refrigerate. Bring the shrimp shells and water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture, discarding the shells, and reserve the stock.

Gumbo Base

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 pound fresh okra, sliced
• 6 ounces tasso ham, diced
• 2 medium yellow onions, diced
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Heat the oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the okra and tasso, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the okra is tender and beginning to brown. Then, add the onions, garlic, tomatoes, and bay leaf, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat and cook until the vegetables are tender and breaking up. Add the cayenne and reserved shrimp stock, bringing the mixture to a boil. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, then stir in the reserved shrimp and cook until opaque and cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the gumbo over cooked white rice, accompanied by hot sauce such as Tabasco on the side. With its unique flavor profile and rich texture, this gumbo is sure to become a new favorite.

Yield: 10 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Active Time: 30 minutes