Gumbo-Style Crab Soup With Okra and Tomatoes

Manami's Note:

This more delicate cousin of New Orleans gumbo is a spicier version of the crab soup Charleston is known for. From: "Low-Country Thanksgiving" in F&W Magazine, 11/2002 by Robert Stehling. It is healthy & certain parts can be made ahead of time, if kept in an air-tight container.It is wonderfully delicious!! Submitted 08/14/2008.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 40 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 10 shallow ...

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 6 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 28 ounces Italian plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped, juices reserved
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 1/2 quarts fish stock or 2 1/2 quarts low-fat chicken broth or 1 quart water mixed with 1 1/2 qts bottled clam juice
• 1 1/2 lbs fresh okra (6 cups) or 1 1/2 lbs thawed frozen okra, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick (6 cups)
• 1 1/2 lbs lump crabmeat, picked over to remove cartilage
• 1/2 cup chopped basil
• Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. In a large, heavy pot, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
2. Add the onions and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the celery, bell pepper, garlic, thyme and crushed pepper.
4. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
5. Add the wine and boil over moderately high heat until reduced to a syrup, about 1 minute.
6. Add the tomato juices and bay leaves and boil until reduced by half, about 4 minutes.
7. Add the stock, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
8. In a large skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
9. Add the okra, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring a few times, until browned, about 4 minutes.
10. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil.
11. Stir the okra and tomatoes into the soup and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes longer; discard the bay leaves.
12. Add the crabmeat to the soup and simmer until just heated through.
13. Stir in the basil and season with salt, pepper and Tabasco.
14. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and serve.
15. Serve with a light, spicy pinot grigio along with some hot homemade bread or biscuits.
16. Enjoy!