2tablespoonsCreole seasoning, divided(1 Tablespoon to season shrimp; 1 Tablespoon for the sauce)
1tablespoonminced garlic
4tablespoonsbutter
4tablespoonsall-purpose flour
½cupchopped onion
½cupchopped green bell pepper
½cupchopped celery
28ouncesstewed tomatoes
1teaspoonsmoked paprika, optional
½cupwater
1teaspooncayenne pepper, optional
2bay leaves
1lb.pastaspaghetti, linguine, angel hair
Instructions
Prepare Shrimp
Peel and devein shrimp; rinse and pat dry with paper towel
1 lb. fresh gulf shrimp
Sprinkle one tablespoon of Creole seasoning over shrimp; set aside
2 tablespoons Creole seasoning, divided
Prepare Creole Sauce
In a large skillet, melt butter; add chopped onions, celery and bell peppers; sprinkle in flour and cook for 5-8 minutes, add garlic to mixture; combine well
1 tablespoon minced garlic, 4 tablespoons butter, ½ cup chopped onion, ½ cup chopped green bell pepper, ½ cup chopped celery, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Add tomatoes with their liquid, water, remaining tablespoon of Creole seasoning, paprika (optional) and bay leaves to stockpot; bring to boil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional, 28 ounces stewed tomatoes, ½ cup water, 2 bay leaves, 1 lb. pasta
Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon and mash down the tomatoes; reduce heat to medium low, cover and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes begin to break down and thicken
In a separate pan, bring water to boil for pasta
Add seasoned shrimp to tomato mixture; cover and cook until shrimp are pink; taste for salt, pepper and heat. If you want it spicier, add a little cayenne pepper now.
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Continue to cook pasta according to directions; drain pasta and plate
Spoon shrimp and Creole sauce over cooked pasta; garnish with parsley and serve
Notes
For best results, do not cook tomatoes in a cast-iron skillet; use ceramic or stainless
You can use plain canned diced tomatoes, plain stewed tomatoes or stewed tomatoes with onion and bell pepper. Any of these work great in this recipe.
YieldThis Creole sauce makes about 4 cups, which is plenty for one pound of spaghetti. If you like a lot of sauce, then double the sauce recipe.Creole sauceIf the sauce thickens too much while you're cooking it, add a little water to the skillet.
Traditional Shrimp Creole is served over white rice
Want it spicier? Add a little smoked paprika and / or cayenne pepper.