Mardi Gras Recipes: Cajun Style Meals, Snacks, Drinks and More

This is one my favorite Mardis Gras recipes. This will make you feel like your right down in the heart of New Orleans. Follow the directions closely and in no time at all, you will have a delicious gumbo waiting to be eaten. Enjoy!

Ingredients (for 6)

-1 pound fresh okra cut into 1 inch pieces. Wash and remove stems before cutting. (Frozen okra may be used if fresh is unavailable)
-1 cup of coarsely chopped onion (One large onion should do)
-3 cloves of minced garlic
-1/2 pound diced smoked ham
-1 small diced green pepper
-1 bay leaf
-1 tablespoon salt (or to taste)
-2 teaspoons black pepper
-1/3 teaspoon crushed red pepper
-2 cups of peeled and coarsely chopped tomatoes (5 tomatoes should do it)
-1 1/2 cups of water
-1/4 stick of butter (2 tablespoons)
-2 pounds of raw, deveined, washed, and peeled shrimp
-3/4 pound cooked crab meat

Instructions

Combine all ingredients (except seafood) into large pot. Bring to a low boil, and then let simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of simmering add seafood (crab and shrimp), then simmer for another 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Serves 6

Total time to prepare: 1 hour