A classic Cajun dish, perfect for a family dinner…
When I was younger, my mom was always the cook in the house. Slowly that started to change around the time I moved out ( I was the baby). I guess maybe she was tired?? My dad then became the Sunday cook at home. I think it was a very welcome change for my mom. I know I sure love it when my husband cooks on Sundays.
So my dad has definitely come up with his own versions of different Cajun dishes. This etoufee (pronounced eh-too-fay) is one of those dishes. I really loved his version when I first tried it, and I wrote down everything he did several years ago. It is now one of my most favorite dishes to make.
Now much like other cultures, Cajun cooks all have their own versions of dishes. You can go down the street and my neighbors etoufee may taste nothing like mine. Don’t get me started on restaurants. I’m often really leery of ordering etoufee or gumbo anywhere. I’m often disappointed because its not like what we have at home.
Another interesting point too is that New Orleans dishes are not always similar to our dishes here in Southwest Louisiana. Some New Orleans gumbos have tomatoes in them, which is not how we do it over here. But they all do start out the same way….with onions, celery, and bell pepper…the Cajun Trinity.
That’s exactly how this one starts, and then a little secret ingredient is added. My dad always adds a little beer to his, and I really love the flavor it creates. You can get a similar flavor from white wine. If you don’t like to use alcohol, just double the amount of chicken broth in the recipe.
Basically, there is no wrong way to do this. Everyone loves their own family recipes not just for the taste, but for the memories they bring to your mind as well! I hope that you give this version a try and love it too!
- ½ stick butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp creole seasoning
- 1 lb shrimp, seasoned with 1 tsp creole seasoning (small shrimp work best)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ can beer or 1 cup of white wine
- 1 can cream of mushroom
- Optional Toppings: chopped green onions and chopped fresh parsley
- Cooked rice
- Heat butter and oil over medium high heat.
- Add onions, celery,and bell pepper. Season with 1 tsp creole seasoning. Saute for about 10 minutes.
- Add shrimp and saute for about 5 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and beer or wine. Bring to a boil.
- Add cream of mushroom soup. Stir well. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer covered for about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare rice.
- Serve over cooked rice and top with parsley or green onions if desired. *We prefer medium grain rice in my family.
To see my other Cajun Cookin’ posts, click here.
Need a good Sunday dessert idea, try these:
I love that your dad gave your mom a break from cooking after all those years! This etoufee looks delicious – what a great dinner recipe!
Thanks Cate!
Always love your recipes as they aren’t in my wheelhouse but are foods that I love!
Aww! Thanks Melanie!
Sounds like your Dad has a pretty awesome recipe. Love a little creole with my shrimp.
Thanks Amy!
Shrimp is a staple in our house – great recipe – pinned!
Thanks Deb!
This looks so good, Jaren. I’ll have to try it with beer!
Aren’t family favorites the best kind of recipes! This looks amazing!
They sure are! Thanks Nancy!
I love recipes that are handed down through the generations, they are some of the best! And this one looks really good Jaren! I think that I would be right at home with the cooking in LA! I’m still a southern girl at heart and I love, love anything spicy. As a mother of 6 boys and hubby, I can relate to your mother being tired of cooking. I still do a lot of cooking and I tell you there are times that I’d like to have someone else cook. Sometimes hubby cooks Sunday breakfast and did so when the boys were younger, but I still do all the other meals. And even though it is only us mostly now, doesn’t mean the cooking is less. I cook as much now as I did when everyone was home because everyone is always coming home! I’m ready for the DIL”s to do some cooking, but we never get invited to dinner from any of them, so I guess I will continue to do the cooking. lol I hope you had a great Christmas with your family Jaren and I wish all the best for you in the new year! Hugs, Brenda
Thanks Brenda!
This looks terrific! And this whole man cooks on Sunday thing needs to happen in my household!! 🙂
Thanks Julie!