Description
Smoky shrimp and okra delight brings bold Southern flavors to your dinner table. Succulent coastal ingredients combine with spicy seasonings for an unforgettable culinary journey that will spark excitement on your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) colossal raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh-cut okra, sliced into desired pieces
- 5 vine tomatoes or 2 extra-large tomatoes
- ½ cup (120 ml) roughly chopped onions
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) tomato paste
- 2 cups (480 ml) water or broth
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) garlic paste or 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 3 bay leaves
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice okra into uniform pieces and dice tomatoes, ensuring cleanliness and precise cutting.
- Shrimp Preparation: Clean and devein shrimp, patting dry and seasoning with a robust spice blend to enhance flavor profile.
- Searing Shrimp: Heat skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Quickly sear shrimp until they turn pink and develop a delicate caramelized exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Vegetable Sautéing: In the same skillet, introduce okra and onions, allowing them to caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors through careful stirring.
- Flavor Layering: Incorporate tomatoes, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, garlic, ginger, cumin, red pepper flakes, basil, and parsley. Pour water or broth to create a harmonious cooking liquid and nestle bay leaves into the mixture.
- Simmering Process: Reduce heat, cover skillet, and allow ingredients to meld together. Simmer gently for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Final Integration: Reintroduce seared shrimp to the aromatic mixture, continuing to cook for an additional 10-12 minutes to ensure complete flavor absorption and thorough heating.
- Serving: Remove bay leaves and present this smoky, vibrant culinary creation, ready to delight the palate.
Notes
- Prep Precision: Ensure okra is completely dry before slicing to prevent slimy texture and achieve perfect caramelization.
- Shrimp Selection: Choose fresh, medium-sized shrimp for optimal tenderness and quick cooking time.
- Spice Balance: Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to match personal heat tolerance without overwhelming the dish.
- Simmer Strategy: Low and slow cooking allows flavors to develop deeply, transforming simple ingredients into a complex, rich meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg