Big Easy Bash: Celebrate Mardi Gras At Home with Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Make roux: Warm oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add flour and stir well to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, 3-4 minutes, until mixture is rich medium brown, the color of peanut butter or coffee ice cream. Pay attention to bottom of pan, scraping often, so flour toasts but doesn’t burn. Increase heat to medium and add onion, garlic, celery, and peppers. Season with salt. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add bay leaves, black pepper, cayenne, and paprika; cook 2 minutes. Add okra and sausage; cook 2 minutes. Pour in chicken stock, increase heat to high, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to maintain a simmer, 10 minutes. Stir in shrimp and simmer until just cooked through. Stir in scallions and butter. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve over rice, with hot sauce, if desired. Kitchen Counter Per serving, not including rice: 390 cal, 17g carbs, 33g protein, 20g fat, 225mg chol, 810mg sodium, 2g fiber