Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large, deep sauté pan (5 qt. or larger) over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, celery, and pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add brown rice or grains of your choice*, bay leaves, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and tomatoes. Stir until well combined, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Pour in the vegetable broth, stir until combined, and bring to a boil. It will look soupy here but don’t worry– this will all be absorbed by the grains. Reduce boil to a simmer, cover, and cook until grains are tender, stirring often to avoid grains sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 4

Once grains are cooked, stir in the beans and shrimp and heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Serve hot and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.