Grandma Cassie’s Shrimp Étoufée

Recipe provided by chef Kwame Onwuachi of Kith and Kin in Washington, D.C. Francis Lam talks with Onwuachi about the dish and many more topics in their inteview from our episode "Kwame Onwuachi - Notes from a Young Black Chef."

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 medium onion, small diced

• 2 large ribs of celery, small diced

• 1 large green pepper, small diced

• 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

• 1 tablespoon Cajun spice

• 1 bay leaf

• 4 sprigs fresh thyme

• 1 quart shrimp stock

• 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined

• Kosher salt

Notes From a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi

Directions

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the flour, reduce heat to medium-low, and whisk into a smooth paste until a blonde roux forms: approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add the onion, celery, pepper, and garlic and cook, stirring until vegetables have softened, approximately 6 minutes. Add Cajun spice, bay leaf, and thyme and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add shrimp stock in thirds, and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add shrimp to the stock and cook for approximately 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook shrimp.

5. Season to taste with salt and serve with rice.