Extraordinary in the Ordinary

This is a great comfort food!  It smells so delicious cooking and is perfect for a cold, rainy day.  It is also great for entertaining. Easy to fix ahead and heat for guests.

3 beef bouillon cubes

1 cup boiling water

1 large onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, chopped

butter or olive oil

2-3 tbs. flour

1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)

1 can tomatoes (15 oz)

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper

3-4 medium potatoes, diced

1 lb. shrimp, peeled

Dissolve the bouillon cubes in water.  Set aside.  You will need this later.  Saute the onion and green pepper in the butter or oil.  I liked to get a little browning action on my onion to caramelize it and sweeten it up, so I start my onions a few minutes before my green pepper.  I throw in the garlic at the very end because I want to be sure not to overcook it.  Blend in the flour.  Stir until smooth.  Gradually add the dissolved bouillon cubes.  Add tomato sauce, tomatoes and seasoning.  Simmer about 30 minutes.  Add potatoes.  Simmer 15 more minutes.  Add shrimp.  Simmer 15 more minutes.

Alternatives:  You can also add okra if you would like a more traditional gumbo.  We are not huge okra fans, so we usually pass on this.

Also, this is a great meal for stretching.  Just add a extra tomato sauce, okra and/or potatoes.

This is great served over brown rice!

This is on our menu for next weekend, so I will have a picture soon!

©2009 Recipe by Extraordinary in the Ordinary