Shrimp and Sweet Potato Gumbo

Ingredients

• 2 large onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 6 smoked bacon slices, optional (we tested with Nueske's)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can tomato with roasted garlic and herbs soup, undiluted
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can chicken gumbo soup, undiluted
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp, peeled, or 1 pound frozen peeled shrimp

Preparation

1. Toss onion and sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread vegetables in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan or a 15" x 10" jellyroll pan. Roast at 450° for 30 minutes, stirring twice.
2. Cook sausage in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until browned; remove sausage, and set aside.
3. Cook bacon in same pan over medium heat until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in pan. Coarsely crumble bacon.
4. Add enough oil to drippings in pan to yield 1/4 cup. Add flour and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until roux is peanut butter-colored (about 30 minutes). Add celery, green pepper, and garlic; cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Stir in water and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Gently stir in roasted vegetables, sausage, and shrimp; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Discard bay leaf before serving.
5. To serve, ladle gumbo into individual bowls. Sprinkle each serving with bacon, if desired.