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This classic shrimp etouffee is rich and flavorful and makes a great dish to serve to guests yet easy enough for a weekend dinner.
Although this dish is a meal in itself, I like to serve it with a cool and refreshing Israeli Salad, a loaf of homemade Cheddar Jalapeno Bread, and Watermelon Sorbet for dessert.
Etouffee in French translates to ‘smothered’. It’s a classic Cajun or Creole seafood stew that’s thickened with a ‘roux’, which is equal parts flour and fat that is cooked until it reaches a deep golden color. The ‘holy trinity’, consisting of onions, green pepper, and celery, is added along with some type of broth and spices. This thick stew is then served over rice.
Cajun etouffee does not use tomatoes as the Creole version does. It differs from the other Louisianna classic, ‘gumbo’ because the roux is considered to be ‘blonde’ or light brown where gumbo’s roux is cooked until it is a deep chocolate color. The blonde roux gives the etouffee a sweeter, milder flavor as opposed to the deep, nutty flavor the dark roux provides to gumbo.
Making a roux is one of those intimidating things that really shouldn’t be feared. With a few tips and a lot of patience, this kitchen technique can be mastered easily.
I learned a great equation while taking a cooking class in NOLA. A roux is: Heat + Flour + Fat + Time.
There are four types of roux – white, blonde, medium-brown, and dark-brown. The darker a roux gets, the less thickening power it has.
A ‘dry roux’ is toasted flour minus the oil or butter. It can be made by baking flour in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes. Stir the flour every 5 minutes or so to get even coloring.
For one gallon of liquid, you will need:
For thin sauce or soup: 6 ounces of flour / 6 ounces of fat
For medium-thick sauce or soup: 8 ounces of flour / 8 ounces of fat
For thick sauces or soups: 12 ounces of flour / 12 ounces of fat
Light And Crunchy Fried Shrimp
PrintTake your tastebuds on a flavor trip to the ‘Big Easy’ with this Classic Shrimp Etouffee. The succulent shrimp, tender vegetables, and spicy gravy are sure to be a family favorite.
For the shrimp stock:
For the Etouffee:
Chopped fresh parsley, as garnish
Sliced scallions, for serving
Steamed white rice, for serving
Make the shrimp stock:
In a large saucepan, pour in the olive oil and heat over medium heat until shimmering – about 2 minutes.
Toss in the shrimp shells and tops of the onions, celery, carrots, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to coat with the oil and cook until fragrant – about 5 minutes.
Add the sliced lemons, clam juice, white wine, and chicken broth.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 40 minutes.
Strain the broth and discard the vegetables and shells. Set aside to cool.
For the etouffee:
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter until it starts to turn golden.
Sprinkle in the flour while whisking until it is well incorporated into the flour.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the roux until it turns a deep golden or light brown color – about 10 minutes.
Add the onions, celery, green pepper, garlic, and dried thyme. Stir well and cook until the onions are translucent and the vegetables are tender – about 15 minutes.
Pour in the shrimp stock and whisk until fully mixed in with the roux and the vegetables.
Stir in the tomatoes, Worcestershire, and Cajun seasoning.
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, hot sauce, and shrimp.
Return the cover to the pot and allow the shrimp to poach for 5-8 minutes before serving.
Taste to adjust for salt, pepper, and heat.
Serve with white rice and garnished with sliced scallions and chopped parsley.