Shrimp Etouffee

2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, shelled
2 scallions including green tops, chopped

In a large frying pan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over moderate heat until almost smoking. Add the flour and whisk until it's the color of peanut butter, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the broth and continue whisking until the sauce starts to thicken, about 2 minutes. Whisk in tomato paste.

Stir in the bell pepper, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaf, salt, cayenne, black pepper, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Add the shrimp and scallions and simmer until the shrimp are just done, about 3 minutes. Serve the étouffée over the rice.

Notes
Fish Alternatives:
The most authentic substitution, if you can get them, would be cooked crawfish tails. Toss them in at the end and just heat through.


Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CBATTE.