Spicy Shrimp and Veggie Stew
Making Gumbo in a Snap: A Microwaved Gumbo Recipe
This ain't your grandma's slow-cooked gumbo. This quick and easy recipe uses the power of the microwave to prepare a delicious first-course soup or light main-course entree. No more hours of stirring, just pop it in the microwave and let the magic happen!
Serves: 4Total Time: 70 minutes
Ingredients:
- 6 slices of diced bacon
- 3 cups of chopped fresh okra or 10 ounces of frozen okra, chopped
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- 1¼ cups of all-purpose flour (for the roux)
- 1½ cups of diced celery
- ¾ cup of chopped green onion
- ½ cup of chopped onion
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 small yellow squash, zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup of diced green bell pepper
- 3½ cups of chicken broth
- ¼ cup of minced parsley
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of pepper
- ½ teaspoon of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne (or to taste)
- 1 pound of medium peeled deveined shrimp
- ¾ teaspoon file powder, optional
- Cooked rice
Instructions:
- Cook the diced bacon in a 2-quart casserole in the microwave until it's crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add okra; microwave until tender, about 7 minutes.
- To prepare the roux, mix oil and flour in a 3-quart microwave-safe plastic casserole. Microwave until the color of cinnamon, stirring often, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in celery, onions, garlic, and cooked okra. Microwave until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients except for the shrimp and file powder. Microwave until vegetables are tender, about 7 to 9 minutes.
- Stir in the shrimp and cook until just beginning to curl, about 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in file powder if desired.
- Serve over rice and enjoy!
Pro tip: If you want a deeper, richer flavor, try making the roux ahead of time and refrigerating it for up to a week. You can also exchange the chicken broth with seafood broth for a stronger seafood flavor.
That's it! This fast and mess-free gumbo method will have you impressing dinner guests in no time. So ditch the stovetop and welcome to the wonders of the microwave!
This microwaved Gumbo recipe offers a quicker alternative to traditional slow-cooked methods, providing a burst of flavor in just 70 minutes. It yields 18 servings, making it perfect for larger gatherings. The recipe cleverly utilizes a microwave for cooking, saving time on preparation and cleanup.
