POOR BOY NEW ORLEANS RECIPES

Steps:

• Make a roux by whisking the flour and 3/4 cup bacon drippings together in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat to form a smooth mixture. Cook the roux, whisking constantly, until it turns a rich mahogany brown color. This can take 20 to 30 minutes; watch heat carefully and whisk constantly or roux will burn. Remove from heat; continue whisking until mixture stops cooking.
• Place the celery, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic into the work bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the vegetables are very finely chopped. Stir the vegetables into the roux, and mix in the sausage. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Bring the water and beef bouillon cubes to a boil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Stir until the bouillon cubes dissolve, and whisk the roux mixture into the boiling water. Reduce heat to a simmer, and mix in the sugar, salt, hot pepper sauce, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer the soup over low heat for 1 hour; mix in 2 teaspoons of file gumbo powder at the 45-minute mark.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in a skillet, and cook the okra with vinegar over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove okra with slotted spoon, and stir into the simmering gumbo. Mix in crabmeat, shrimp, and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer until flavors have blended, 45 more minutes. Just before serving, stir in 2 more teaspoons of file gumbo powder.

Steps:

• Make the shrimp: Whisk the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Stir together the milk and hot sauce in a large bowl; add the shrimp. Working in batches, remove the shrimp from the milk mixture, letting the excess drip off, and add to the bowl with the flour mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate 15 minutes to let the coating set.
• Meanwhile, make the rémoulade: Combine the mayonnaise, pickles, shallot and hot sauce in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. 
• Fry the shrimp: Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360˚ F. Working in batches, fry the shrimp until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to the prepared baking sheet with a slotted spoon; season with salt. Adjust the heat as needed between batches.
• Meanwhile, put the rolls on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 5 minutes. Spread the rémoulade on the cut sides and fill with lettuce, the shrimp and tomatoes. Serve with more hot sauce.