Semi-Homemade Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo

Ingredients:

1/2 lbs chicken breast (about 2), cubed into bite size pieces

1/2lbs shrimp, uncooked shelled and deveined(I used frozen)

1-2 cups chopped okra (I used frozen, less slimy that way =p)

1 -14oz can Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth

4 cups water

old bay seasoning

salt and pepper

onion and garlic powder

1 box Zadarans Gumbo mix

Directions:

Sprinkle chicken bites with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and old bay on all sides. Brown chicken in a little drizzle of EVOO. Once browned add Zadaran's seasoning, chopped okra, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil and cover, let simmer for about 15 minutes. Add Shrimp and let simmer covered for another 10 minutes.

Your basically following the directions on the box, I'm just adding to it =p

I added a little more cooked rice because I like lots of rice and the served it with a side of cornbread!

Okra Fries

This is one of my own little concoctions, I got the idea from Iron Chef, they did wedges and deep fried them. I've been trying to go a little more healthy so here are some healthy fries ^_^

Ingredients:

1-bag of frozen/fresh okra or however much you want (I've done with both, fresh is a little more slimy but still very tasty)

1/2 cup egg whites or 2+ eggs + milk

1 cup(enough for dredging) whole wheat flour

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cut okra into 4's length wise. Combine flour, salt and pepper, and cayenne in bowl.

Dredge fries through egg whites and then flour mixture. (You can double dredge them if you like, but they come out good if dredged once)

Place fries on a foil lined cookie sheet.

Once all fries are dredged and on cookie sheet spray a lightly with cooking spray.

Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes or until fries have reached desired crispness

I baked these once at 350 and once at 400, I liked how crispy they came out at 400. I baked them at the same time I was baking something else. At 350 I used frozen okra (that had been thawed slightly) and they took about 20 - 30 minutes to cook.