Crab ‘n’ Shrimp Gumbo

Name: Crab 'n' Shrimp Gumbo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 25 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 16-20 servings (about 5 quarts).
Ingredients: 6 bacon strips, diced; 2 large onions, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cans (one 29 ounces, one 14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes; 3 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) condensed beef consomme, undiluted; 2 cups water; 4 medium leeks, cut into 1/4-inch slices; 1 medium carrot, diced; 2 pounds fresh or frozen sliced okra; 1-1/2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 pound fresh or frozen crabmeat, flaked and cartilage removed; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup cold water; 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; Hot cooked rice

I found this recipe in a magazine over 30 years ago. I change it from time to time to suit our tastes.—La Vonne Vrooman, Dothan, Alabama

Ingredients

6 bacon strips, diced
2 large onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (one 29 ounces, one 14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
3 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) condensed beef consomme, undiluted
2 cups water
4 medium leeks, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium carrot, diced
2 pounds fresh or frozen sliced okra
1-1/2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound fresh or frozen crabmeat, flaked and cartilage removed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cold water
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Hot cooked rice

Directions

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. In same skillet, saute onions and garlic in drippings until tender.
Pour into a Dutch oven or soup kettle. Add the tomatoes, consomme and water. Cover and bring to a boil; add the leeks, carrot and okra. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the shrimp, crab, salt and cayenne; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine flour and cold water until smooth. Stir into gumbo mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in parsley and reserved bacon. Serve immediately with rice.