~**Something a little different from J.Rae's Shabby Cottage Designs**~ Shrimp & Smoked Sausage Gumbo ~**

Shrimp & Smoked Sausage Gumbo

1 lb Smoked Sausage (cut & then quartered into small chunks)
1/2 stick butter (or 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil if you prefer)
1/4 C Flour
... 1 Medium Onion (chopped)
1 small bag baby carrots (chopped)
3-4 Stalks Celery (chopped)
4 C Chicken Broth
1/2 C Diced Green Chilies (to taste mild or spicy to preference)
1- 14oz Can Diced Tomatoes
1- Can Spicy Rotel or Diced Tomatoes w Green Chilies added
1-1/2 C Frozen Okra
1 Can Golden Hominy
1 lb frozen cooked medium shrimp
1-2 tsp Mrs Dash Seasoning
1 Tsp Black Pepper

In soup pot add butter, smoked sausage, brown slightly over medium heat, add flour to make a rue, add chicken broth, carrots, onion, Mrs Dash, pepper & celery bring to a boil and cook til veggies are softened. Add green chilies, diced tomatoes, rotel, and bring to a boil, simmer for about 10 minutes, then add okra, hominy, and shrimp, let simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Serve nice and hot!! You can spice this up more by using hotter peppers such as jalapeno, or adding a dash or two of hot sauce. You can also serve this over rice, but we eat it like a yummy hearty soup!

This is what the finished product looks like. It has the most incredible flavor. Just a touch of spice without being too hot. Once you have a bowl you want to go back for another. My hubby & I have been eating this at least once a week lately! Fantastic & I know you'll just love it so I just had to share!!