Creole Shrimp and Rice is a fantastic meal! Large shrimp are cooked in a flavorful homemade Creole sauce, and served with rice (4 servings).
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled/ finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery finely chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper deseeded/ finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Creole/Cajun seasoning mix (less or more, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper *(use ¼ tsp. if you don't like it too spicy!)*
- 1 bay leaf
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (canned) = 1 can
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ pounds large shrimp (16-20 count per lb.) peeled, deveined, tail removed
- Tabasco sauce to taste (start with 1-2 shakes)
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups COOKED rice (½ cup cooked rice per serving)
-
In a large skillet, heat butter and oil on Medium-High. Stir in onions, celery and bell pepper; reduce heat to Medium. Cook veggies for 10 minutes, or until veggies are quite soft. Stir often; lower heat if necessary, so veggies don't burn.
-
Add minced garlic, Creole seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine them with the veggies.
-
Add tomato sauce, water and Worcestershire sauce. Stir; bring sauce to a boil on Medium heat. Once it is boiling, turn heat down to Low. Simmer Creole sauce on Low (uncovered) for 8-10 minutes OR until it has thickened slightly.
-
Lay shrimp in the sauce, placing them in the skillet in a single layer, if possible (to help the shrimp cook evenly). Cook shrimp (without disturbing them) for 1-2 minutes, then flip them over so the other side fully cooks through (1-2 minutes).
-
Take a small taste of the sauce. Add Tabasco sauce, salt and black pepper as needed (to suit your taste). Remove bay leaf from the sauce (discard).
-
Garnish shrimp and sauce with parsley and lemon slices; serve immediately, with hot cooked rice next to the shrimp or under the shrimp. ENJOY!
NOTE: Remember to cook the rice and time it so it's hot and ready to serve when the shrimp has finished cooking.