Shrimp Creole
23I try to engage Tom in the menu-making process, but he doesn’t really get into it. It’s pretty rare he request anything specific, so when he does I try to make it. When I was planning out our next few meals, Tom said he wanted something with shrimp. I said OK, but asked what he wanted that wasn’t pasta (since I try to limit pasta to once per week). He replied, “shrimp creole.” I thought this was kind of odd. I’ve never seen Tom eat shrimp creole, or even talk about it before. I wondered if he even knew what it was. But, I went with it. Of course a couple days later when I told him I was making creole he asked what that was. Errr.
I love creole, but I’ve never made it before. I went in search of an authentic recipe and came across NOLA Cuisine. The shrimp creole had a lengthy list of ingredients, but they were all very basic ingredients and I had nearly all of them at home, already. Tomatoes aren’t looking all that great right now for me, so I subbed canned tomatoes for the fresh ones in this recipe and adjusted the method slightly, as well as a few other things based on our tastes and what I had around. This tasted great, and I will definitely make it again!
Shrimp Creole
Adapted from NOLA Cuisine
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 small onion, diced
1 celery rib, sliced
1/2 or 1 small green pepper, diced
4 tsp. creole seasoning, divided (I use Tony Chachere’s)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup diced tomatoes with their juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs thyme
2 tsp. hot sauce
1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
cayenne, salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
2 green onions (green portion), sliced
Melt the butter along with the canola oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and green pepper and cook a couple minutes until they begin to turn tender. Add 2 tsp. of the creole seasoning and salt. Sweat the vegetables until soft.
Add the garlic and the tomato paste, cooking off the paste until it starts to brown. Add the wine to deglaze and reduce it down until it’s nearly evaporated. Add the tomatoes, broth, remaining Creole seasoning, bay leaf, thyme, and cayenne, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire and re-season to taste if necessary.
Sprinkle your shimp with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste. Add the shrimp to the simmering liquid until just cooked through. Serve over Creole boiled rice and top with parsley and green onions.
Shrimp Creole is a big tradition in my husband’s family. His grandfather has the family recipe, and we always have it at Christmas and at the family beach reunion in the summer. This recipe is different, but looks great- I love all the spices!
Elly nice blog you have here! I have been wanting to cook some Greek food. I think I found my inspiration!
I added you to my blog list too!
Elly nice blog you have here! I have been wanting to cook some Greek food. I think I found my inspiration!
I added you to my blog list too!
This looks delicious! Is there a Creole cooking vibe going around today? (I’m making gumbo tonight for dinner – lol!)
This looks delicious! Is there a Creole cooking vibe going around today? (I’m making gumbo tonight for dinner – lol!)
I don’t eat shrimp but my husband would like this. How do you think it woudl be without the diced tomatoes (he doesn’t like tomatoes…)?
I don’t eat shrimp but my husband would like this. How do you think it woudl be without the diced tomatoes (he doesn’t like tomatoes…)?
Mary Ellen, does he like tomato flavors but not the chunkiness of the tomatoes? If so, I would say you could sub some tomato sauce in place of the diced tomatoes so it’s nice and smooth. I think without any tomato though it wouldn’t be a creole. Maybe if you use the same flavors but then add a little cream at the end and serve it over pasta it might be a nice creole-like shrimp pasta!
I love creole and make it all the time! Adding this to the list of things to make.
I bet my husband would love this! Looks great.
I bet my husband would love this! Looks great.
This is a taste of the South in the middle of winter Elly. I can just imagine myself in a siewalk cafe watching the world go by.
This is a taste of the South in the middle of winter Elly. I can just imagine myself in a siewalk cafe watching the world go by.
YUM! This it totally making my mouth water!
This looks great! My husband isn’t really into meal planning either, but if I ask him his opinion, he almost always requests meatloaf!
This looks great! My husband isn’t really into meal planning either, but if I ask him his opinion, he almost always requests meatloaf!
He is ok with the flavor. I could probably even used crushed tomatoes in puree.
He is ok with the flavor. I could probably even used crushed tomatoes in puree.
This look the perfect meal to keep in mind for when I need to get out of a flavor rut. Thanks, Elly!
That looks really good. A perfect excuse to enjoy some more shrimp.
That looks really good. A perfect excuse to enjoy some more shrimp.
I wonder if you listened to Kid Creole & the Coconuts making this?
Lots of ingredients but really not that hard…any leftovers?
OH how I love the way this looks! This will be made for dinner next week, after I go to te store to get the shrimp!