Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients for Seafood Gumbo

• 230g bacon, chopped

• About 120ml vegetable oil

• 180ml plain flour

• 2 celery ribs, chopped

• 1 medium green pepper, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2.4L fish or chicken stock (or a combination)

• 1 (400g) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained and chopped

• 450g frozen cut okra (not thawed)

• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme

• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

• 1 rounded teaspoon cayenne

• 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 1/2 cup chopped spring onions

• 675g medium prawns in shell, peeled and deveined

• 2 dozen shucked oysters with their liquor, oysters picked over for shell fragments

• 230g lump crabmeat, picked over

• Accompaniments: rice

• gumbo filé powder

• N/A gumbo filé

• N/A powder

How to make Seafood Gumbo

Cook bacon in a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat until browned but not crisp. Transfer bacon to a bowl with a slotted spoon and transfer rendered fat to a heatproof liquid measure, then add enough oil to fat to bring total to 90g .

Stir together fat and flour in skillet with a wooden spoon, then cook roux over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until well browned (a shade darker than peanut butter), about 20 minutes.

Add celery, pepper, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a 6- to 7-quart pot.

Stir in stock, tomatoes, okra, thyme, bay leaf, cayenne, and 2 teaspoons salt and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Add parsley, spring onions, prawns, and oysters with their liquor and cook, stirring, until seafood is just cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Stir in crabmeat and bacon and simmer until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt. Discard bay leaf.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.