Andouille and Shrimp Quick Skillet Gumbo with Grits
- 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, a couple turns of the pan
- 1 pound Andouille sausage, casing removed and diced
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
- 2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
- 4 ribs celery with leafy tops, chopped
- 2 small onions, chopped
- 4 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 fresh bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound large shrimp, deveined and tails removed, coarsely chopped
- 1 rounded tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/4 cup hot sauce, such as Franks Red Hot
- 1 cup crisp-tasting beer (think of a use for the rest)
- 1 quart chicken broth or stock, divided
- 1 cup quick-cooking polenta
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Thinly sliced scallions, whites and greens, for garnish
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Chop all your ingredients first then begin cooking.
Heat oil, a turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add Andouille and brown 3-4 minutes then remove to plate. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the pan and lightly brown until slightly nutty. Add peppers, celery, onions, garlic, bay, salt, pepper and thyme, and cook to tender crisp, 3-4 minutes more. Add flour and tomato paste, and stir a minute.
Dress shrimp with Old Bay in a small bowl.
Deglaze pan with beer, add hot sauce and 1 cup stock. Slide in seasoned shrimp and simmer 2-3 minutes to cook through while sauce thickens. Add reserved Andouille to the pan.
Meanwhile, bring remaining 3 cups chicken broth or stock to a boil then reduce heat and whisk in polenta, 2-3 minutes to mass you want it thick but not too stiff. Stir in honey and remaining 2 tablespoons butter then turn off heat.
Pour polenta into shallow bowls and shape a well in center of bowls. Fill with gumbo, garnish with green onions and serve.