 1 large fryer chicken (optional - I don't usually bother. I know - bad me. It's much better with it!)
1/2 gallon shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/3 c cooking oil (I use part olive oil and part butter) salt & pepper to taste 8 to 12 pods of okra, cut in slices
2 large onions (chopped medium) 6 tbsp flour for roux 4 cups chicken stock cooked rice (I like it spicy; Mama didn't.) Here's what I use to jazz it up: 1 large red bell pepper, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2-3 cloves garlic, minced cayenne pepper (sparingly) cumin bit of hot sauce or I sometimes throw in a whole jar of medium-spicy salsa |
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- Stew one large fryer chicken in a large pot or pressure cooker about 2/3 full of water.
- When done, drain chicken - keeping broth set aside; debone chicken, shred, and put in a bowl.
- In a large soup pot, fry chopped onions (and celery / peppers, if using) in 1/3 cup oil until just cooked. Add garlic and okra (if using) and stir for a couple of minutes. Remove from oil and set aside.
- Add a bit more oil and some butter to the soup pot. Heat up, but don't let it smoke. Add about 6 tbsp flour to the hot oil. Stir CONSTANTLY over medium heat until milk chocolate in color - do NOT burn!
- When the roux (flour and oil mixture) is ready, quickly pour in the onion mixture and stir, stir, stir for a minute.
- Add 4 cups of chicken broth and stir.
- Add 1/2 gallon of shrimp that has been peeled and deveined and previously cooked, shredded chicken (if desired). Cook over medium heat until all comes to a boil.
- Lower heat, spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer until right consistency.
- Serve over rice.
