Texas Shrimp Gumbo

How to make Texas Shrimp Gumbo Recipe - Although we often think of Texas as a beef state, it does border Louisiana and a large part of it lies along the Gulf of Mexico. This gumbo is considered a Texan classic.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
4 quarts water
1/4 cup shrimp or crab boil
2-1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons bacon drippings
1 cup each diced celery, onion and green green pepper
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon file powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (10-ounce) package thawed, frozen, cut okra
1/4 cup uncooked long-grain rice

Method:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Tie shrimp or crab boil in a cheesecloth bag. Add to water with shrimp. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Turn off heat; let stand 10 minutes.

Drain shrimp, reserving 2 cups broth. In a heavy Dutch oven, heat butter and bacon drippings. Add celery, onion and green pepper. Cook until tender.

Add shrimp broth, tomatoes with juice, thyme, garlic, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, file powder, salt and pepper to vegetable mixture. Simmer, covered, 45 minutes.

Add okra and rice. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes or until rice is tender. Add shrimp and heat through.