Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• •3 tbsp vegetable oil
• •1 onion, diced
• •1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• •2/3 cup celery, diced
• •4 cloves garlic, minced
• •1 can crushed tomatoes
• •1 tbsp tomato paste
• •2 cups chicken broth
• •2 tsp cajun seasoning
• •1 bay leaf
• •1 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• •3 cups cooked rice, for serving
• •2 tbsp chopped parsley

Steps

1. 1.Heat the oil in a large pot and cook the onion, bell pepper, and celery (the "holy trinity") over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes - using roughly 3 parts onion to 2 parts celery to 1 part bell pepper is what gives Creole and Cajun cooking its identifiable base flavor.
2. 2.Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. 3.Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, cajun seasoning, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer.
4. 4.Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and deepens to a rich, dark red color.
5. 5.Add the shrimp and cook until just pink and opaque, 3-4 minutes - do not overcook or they'll turn rubbery.
6. 6.Remove the bay leaf, taste and adjust seasoning, and serve over rice topped with fresh parsley.