Certainly! 🍤 Let’s dive into the delightful world of Shrimp Gumbo, a mouthwatering microwave soup that’s ready in a flash, perfect for those moments when time is of the essence but flavor is still a priority. This recipe, inspired by the innovative twists of Barbara Kafka’s Microwave Gourmet Heathstyle Cookbook, takes the essence of traditional gumbo and infuses it with convenience and speed, without compromising on taste.
Shrimp Gumbo Recipe
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 6 cloves | Garlic |
| 1 | Red bell pepper |
| 3 stalks | Celery |
| 6 | Scallions |
| 2 tsp | Chili powder |
| 1 tsp | Dried thyme |
| 2 tbsp | Oil |
| 1 lb | Large shrimp |
| 1 cup | Fresh okra |
| 1 cup | Diced tomatoes |
| 3 cups | Vegetable broth |
Instructions:
-
Prep the Ingredients:
- Peel and mince the garlic.
- Dice the red bell pepper.
- Chop the celery into small pieces.
- Slice the scallions.
- Prepare the fresh okra by trimming the ends and cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
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Prepare the Microwave-Safe Dish:
- In a 2-1/2 quart microwave-safe casserole dish, combine the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, chopped celery, sliced scallions, chili powder, dried thyme, and oil. Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices and oil.
-
Microwave Cooking:
- Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, ensuring it’s tightly sealed to trap steam.
- Microwave on high (100%) for 10 minutes to cook the vegetables until tender. The steam trapped by the plastic wrap helps in the cooking process.
-
Layering the Ingredients:
- After microwaving, carefully prick the plastic wrap to release any built-up steam.
- Remove the dish from the microwave and uncover it.
- Create a mound of cooked vegetables in the center of the dish, forming a base for the remaining ingredients.
- Arrange the large shrimp and sliced sausage around the perimeter of the dish, on top of the cooked vegetables.
- Place the fresh okra in the center of the dish, on top of the mound of vegetables.
- Pour the diced tomatoes evenly over the shrimp and okra.
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Second Round of Microwave Cooking:
- Once again, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, making sure it’s sealed well.
- Microwave on high (100%) for 3 minutes to cook the shrimp and heat the other ingredients.
- After 3 minutes, prick the plastic wrap to release any steam that has built up.
-
Final Touches:
- Carefully remove the dish from the microwave and uncover it.
- Give the ingredients a good stir to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Return the dish to the microwave and continue cooking on high (100%) for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors together.
-
Adding Broth and Final Heating:
- After 2 minutes, prick the plastic wrap once again to release any remaining steam.
- Remove the plastic wrap and pour the vegetable broth over the gumbo.
- Cook the gumbo, uncovered, in the microwave for an additional 2 minutes or until heated through.
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Serving:
- Once heated through, carefully remove the dish from the microwave.
- Serve the Shrimp Gumbo hot, preferably accompanied by a loaf of sourdough French bread to soak up all the delicious flavors.
With this recipe, you can enjoy the rich flavors of traditional gumbo in a fraction of the time, thanks to the magic of microwave cooking. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting bowl of goodness without the lengthy preparation process. Give it a try and savor the taste of Shrimp Gumbo in record time! 🍲✨
