CANNED GUMBO RECIPES

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp. Reserve shrimp shells for broth. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon garlic. Cover and refrigerate. Make the shrimp broth.
• Make the gumbo base: In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and celery and cook briskly, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and stir to combine. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring, until flour-vegetable mixture is well browned. Add tomato paste, paprika, cayenne and remaining garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring well, then add diced tomato and andouille sausage and cook for about 2 minutes. Season mixture generously with salt and pepper.
• Stir in shrimp broth and reduce heat to medium. With a wooden spoon, scrape bottom of pot to dissolve any browned bits. Simmer for about 25 minutes, until gumbo base thickens somewhat. Taste and adjust salt. (You may prepare gumbo base up to this point several hours ahead; bring it back to a brisk simmer before continuing.)
• Add okra and let cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes more. Turn off heat. Stir in filé powder. Serve immediately, sprinkled with scallions, along with steamed rice or cornbread if desired.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Combine paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Season short ribs with 1½ tsp. spice mixture. Place in a shallow baking pan and roast until browned and fat has rendered, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer bones to a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Discard fat. Add stew meat, bay leaves, and 2 qt. water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 2 hours (the broth develops stronger flavor the longer you let it simmer). Using tongs, remove bones. When cool enough to handle, trim any meat from bones and return meat to pot. Discard fat and bones.
• Heat bacon fat in a large skillet over medium-high. Add okra and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 7–10 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until well softened, 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, chile pepper, thyme, and remaining spice mixture and cook 5 minutes more.
• Add okra mixture to Dutch oven and simmer, adding crab and/or shrimp during the last 5 minutes of cooking time (if using), until okra is tender and flavors have melded, 20–30 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Taste to adjust seasonings. Serve with rice alongside.