Slow Cooker Crock Pot

This hearty gumbo is considered to be one the comfort foods that is well loved by many. The richness and flavor of the bacon complements the rest of the ingredients, making it satisfyingly delicious.

For this soup, we will need the following ingredients: one fourth kilo of frankfurters, thickly sliced diagonally; one half kilo of smoked pork belly, diced; one cup of frozen shrimps, shelled and deveined; two cups of frozen okra, cut up; two medium sized onions, quartered; one head of garlic, minced; one and a half cups of uncooked white rice; three tablespoons of all purpose flour; three tablespoons of corn oil; one medium sized green bell pepper, sliced; one fourth teaspoon of cayenne pepper; one and a half cups of tomatoes, diced; two cups of chicken broth; one cup of clear soda (such as *Sprite or *7-Up brand); and salt and pepper to taste.

In a saucepan, combine the all purpose flour and the oil. Stir until free from lumps and cook over low heat for about ten minutes, stirring constantly. When the mixture turns light red-brown in color, turn off the fire and place inside the slow cooker. Stir in all the ingredients except the broth, *Sprite, rice and shrimp. Cover the crockpot and set in low temperature. Cook the ingredients for five hours. Add in the broth, *Sprite and the rice and cook for another three hours. Lastly, add the shrimp and cook for twenty minutes. Adjust the salinity and flavor before turning off the heat. Serve immediately.

This gumbo is good for six to eight people. The fusion of the flavors of the smoky bacon, the sweetness of the fresh shrimps, and the plumpness of the okra is perfect for those who are looking for a satisfying meal. This hearty and mouth-watering dish is perfect to serve during rainy days and during the cold months.

Slow-cooked bacon, shrimp, and sausage gumbo is a one-dish meal but may also be served with croutons or saltine crackers.

The use of the crockpot or slow cooker comes in handy for this type of dish. Slow cooking really brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients while giving the sauce a hint of salty-sweet-sour taste. When using shrimps, make sure that they are really fresh so that they will be able to bring out their natural sweetness when cooked.

Store the cooled down leftovers in an airtight container and freeze or place inside the refrigerator. Reheat and serve.

Tags: Cooker, Food, Crock Pot, Recipes, Crockpot