Shrimp & Crab Gumbo

By thatjerseygirl

Awesome gumbo without okra. Feel free to add it if you please!

Ingredients

• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, reserving shells
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons AP flour
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 lb frozen Alaskan king crab legs, rinsed
• 1/2 cup long grain white rice
• 1/2 cup drained canned whole tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion greens
• cayenne to taste

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

In a 4-quart saucepan, simmer reserved shrimp shells, bay leaf and water, partially covered, 15 minutes and strain through a sieve into a bowl. Return shrimp stock to the pan and keep warm.

In a heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron), cook oil and flour over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a flat-edged metal or wooden spatula until roux is a couple of shades darker than peanut butter, about 30 minutes. Stir in onion, bell pepper and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened.

Stir roux into stock and bring to a boil, stirring. Add crab legs and simmer, aprtially covered, sitrring occasionally, 15 minutes. Stir in rice and tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, 12 minutes.

Transfer crab legs to a work surface. Cut shells open with kitchen shears and remove crab meat, discarding shells and cartilage. Tear crab meat into bite-size pieces and stir into gumbo. Add shrimp and simmer until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in scallion greens, cayenne and salt & pepper to taste. Gumbo may be made 1 day ahead, cooled uncovered and chilled covered.