Willie Mae's Shrimp Stew

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 2 russet potatoes
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper
• 2 lbs shrimp, uncooked, shelled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Slice the potatoes lengthwise into quarters, then slice each quarter into 1/2 inch thick slices.

2. 2

   In a medium pot, add potatoes and fill with enough cold water to cover the potatoes completely.

3. 3

   Place on stove over medium high heat, bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes until potatoes are slightly tender.

4. 4

   Strain water and set aside.

5. 5

   In a large sauté pan over a medium high heat add olive oil, celery, onion, green pepper and green onions and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring until vegetables soften.

6. 6

   Blend in tomato paste, tomato puree, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, 1 cup water, cayenne and season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. 7

   Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer very slowly, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.

8. 8

   Add parsley and uncooked, shelled, deveined shrimp and continue to cook over low heat for about 7 minutes, just until shrimp turn pink.

9. 9

   Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.

10. 10

    Serve hot over rice.