*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                           Cajun Shrimp Stew

Recipe By     : Copyright (C) 1995 by Heidi Rabel
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:10
Categories    : Seafood

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  3      cups          water -- for cooking shrimp
  1      pound         raw medium prawns -- 18 to 24 prawns
                       peeled
  3      tablespoons   fresh lemon juice
  2      tablespoons   pure olive oil
    1/2  cup           yellow onion -- peeled and chopped
  1      teaspoon      minced garlic
  1                    red bell pepper
                       seeded, pits removed, & coarsely chopped
  1                    green bell pepper
                       seeded, pits removed, & coarsely chopped
  1      stalk         celery
                       peeled and thinly sliced
  1      tablespoon    fresh thyme leaves
                       or
  1      teaspoon      dried thyme leaves
  1      tablespoon    file seasoning
 28      ounces        crushed tomatoes in puree
  1      cup           red table wine
    1/2  teaspoon      crushed red pepper flakes
  1      cup           shrimp cooking liquid
  1 1/2  cups          fish stock or bottled clam juice
  1      tablespoon    paprika
  1      tablespoon    Worcestershire sauce
    1/2  teaspoon      kosher salt
  2      tablespoons   cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
    1/4  cup           Italian parsley -- stemmed and chopped
    1/4  cup           Italian parsley -- for garnish

Cook rice first, and while it is cooking, cook shrimp. To cook shrimp, bring
water to a boil; add shrimp and boil for 6 - 8 minutes until color changes to
pink; rinse in cold water (to stop cooking), and drain.

To prepare stew, squeeze juice of 1/2 lemon over cooked shrimp and set aside.
Put oil in 6-quart saucepan and cook onion on medium heat until it is softened
and translucent, 6 - 8 minutes. Add garlic, chopped peppers, celery, thyme,
and file seasoning and cook for 5 more minutes. Add tomato, wine, pepper
flakes, shrimp cooking liquid, fish stock, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and
salt. Simmer for 10 minutes and taste to determine the level of "heat" from
the peppers. Add more if necessary. If you want to thicken it, add cornstarch
mixture and simmer for 3 - 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup parsley. The stew can be
made to this point and held for several hours. Add the cooked shrimp just
before you are ready to serve. Add shrimp. When it is heated through, squeeze
remaining lemon juice over it and serve.

                  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : The flavor of the shrimp really comes through in this stew. You can
substitute crawfish, other shellfish, cooked chicken, and chicken stock for
the shrimp. To serve, ladle immediately into shallow bowls, garnishing each
serving with chopped parsley. Yield: 6 servings.

Posted to Fabfood 1/99