![Savory crab-and-shrimp gumbo exotica in black bowl](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/xISQDxamIbJO4-iSSFmvud8eUw8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-2711502_AACookbooks_0258-208dbe40dd2a4156afded4395187ce08.jpg)
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Jillian Knox
Ingredients
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8 oz. sliced salt pork or thick-cut bacon slices
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6 medium-size yellow onions, chopped (about 5 cups)
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6 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
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1 large green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
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3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp.)
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1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
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Basic Seasonings (recipe follows)
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1 lb. large peeled, deveined raw shrimp
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8 oz. fresh or frozen crabmeat (preferably backfin), drained and picked over
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8 oz. frozen cut okra, thawed (from 1 [16-oz.] pkg.)
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1/4 tsp. cornstarch or all-purpose flour, mixed with about 1 tsp. water or liquid from tomato can
Basic Seasonings
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1 Tbsp. seafood seasoning
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1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
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1 Tbsp. hot sauce
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1 Tbsp. lemon juice
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1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
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2 dried bay leaves
Directions
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Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Add salt pork or bacon, and cook until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Crumble and set aside. Do not wipe skillet clean.
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Add onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic to drippings in Dutch oven; cook over low, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
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Stir together reserved salt pork or bacon, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Basic Seasonings in a large bowl; add to vegetable mixture in Dutch oven, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 45 minutes.
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Stir shrimp, crabmeat, and okra into mixture in Dutch oven; cover and simmer, undisturbed, 15 minutes. Stir in cornstarch mixture or flour mixture until blended. Remove and discard bay leaves. Divide gumbo evenly among 8 bowls, and serve immediately.
Basic Seasonings
Active Time: 5 min. - Total Time: 5 min. - Makes about 1/4 cup
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Stir together seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, dried parsley flakes, and dried bay leaves in a small bowl until combined.
Adapted with permission from The American Beach Cookbook. University Press of Florida, 2008.