A good stock is the basis for a good soup or stew. This recipe uses prawn shells but the addition of any non-oily fish skins, bones or heads will further improve the flavour.
perfect starter gumbo stock recipe! I wouldn't limit it to just shrimp shells though! Feel Free to add fish bones, crab shells or any other shellfish shells you have around. The best gumbo stock I make is almost exactly like this but we use leftover crawfish shells from crawfish boils done in Zatarains Liquid. It adds a real zing to the stock that really helps the gumbo. - 17 Jan 2005 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
I tried the Seafood Gumbo Stock last year and it was wonderful, actually it was the best that I have ever tasted. - 17 Oct 2001 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
Doubled the shell amount, turned out even better. Used it as base stock for Shrimp and Okra Gumbo. http://soup.allrecipes.com/AZ/ShrimpandOkraGumbo.asp - 20 Jun 2004 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)