Gumbo Risotto

First, grill the veggies and shrimp: Do this in a separate pan to save time!

Heat a pan to medium-high heat. Saute okra in 1 tablespoon olive oil for about 3 minutes until dark brown on the outsides. Set the okra aside on a plate.

Now saute the bell pepper like you did the okra, in some olive oil until browning at the edges. Remove from pan and set aside.

Peel, devein, and remove tails from the shrimp. Saute in the hot pan until just opaque, about 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and, when cool enough to handle, chop the shrimp into small pieces. Set aside.

Brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into bits as you go, until cooked through. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil into the pan. Over medium heat, saute the onion and crushed red pepper for 2 minutes until the onion begins to soften, then add the garlic and a sprinkle of salt and stir for one minute more.

When the garlic and onion are soft but not brown, stir in the dry rice and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to coat the rice in oil and tomato paste.

Add the wine or beer and creole seasoning, stirring constantly until the wine is completely absorbed.

Add the tomato puree or sauce, stirring constantly until completely absorbed.

2/3 cups (about) at a time, add stock or water (alternate, if you want to use half water and half stock) and stir the rice until all the liquid is absorbed, then add more liquid and repeat. If the pan gets too hot (the liquid boils fully), reduce the heat.

Have a glass of wine while you stir!

After about 25 minutes of adding liquid, taste the rice for doneness. Continue to add liquid until the rice is tender but not mushy and does not have a crunch or stick to your teeth.

When the rice is cooked through, add the cherry tomatoes, okra, bell pepper, sausage, shrimp, butter and hot sauce, if using. Stir for 2 minutes to heat through and taste for seasonings, adding more Creole seasoning, salt, or hot sauce if you need.

Serve as a one-dish meal – you can’t mess this up if you tried!