Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a 4-quart non-stick saucepan over high heat; add the onions, bell pepper, and celery and saute for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapeno, bay leaves, ground peppers, and garlic, stirring well; cook about 3 minutes and stir often.
  3. Stir in the stock, sugar and salt and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors are married, about 20 minutes, stirring often.
  5. Turn the heat up to high, and when the sauce is boiling, remove from heat.
  6. Add in the shrimp, push them down in the sauce, cover the pan and let sit for 10 minutes.
  7. Remove bay leaves.
  8. To serve, mound 1/2 cup cooked rice in the center of each serving bowl, then pour about 1/2 cup sauce around the rice and arrange 8 shrimp on the top of the sauce.
  9. Serve with a cool beverage of your choice-- you'll need it!