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Sustainable Seafood Gumbo

Runner-Up {Appetizer} Sarah Digangi
SERVES: 
6
Rate This Recipe: 
0
INGREDIENTS: 
  • 1/4 lb. spicy Italian chicken sausage links
  • 32 oz. chicken broth (Pacific Natural Foods Organic Free Range recommended)
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbs. butter
  • 1 cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 Tbs. salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 lb. medium local shrimp, deveined, peeled, and cut into thirds
  • 1/2 lb. local blue crab meat
DIRECTIONS: 

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and cook sausage links for three to four minutes, or until cooked enough to be chopped. Drain. Cut links into small pieces.

In a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed stainless steel pot, bring chicken broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, and sausage to a light boil over medium-high heat.

Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and green pepper, and sauté until soft and starting to caramelize, about eight minutes. Add vegetables to chicken broth mixture. Cover and bring back to a light boil. Continue cooking, covered, over medium-high heat for five minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour and water. Stir flour mixture, spices, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce into chicken broth mixture, cover, and cook over high heat for 10 minutes.

Add shrimp and crab meat, reduce heat to medium and cook for five minutes. Remove from heat and discard bay leaves. Cover and let sit for five minutes before serving.

Serve over brown rice.