Okra Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. shrimp with shells
2 qt. chicken stock
1/4 c. butter
1 1/2 lb. okra, sliced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 c. canned tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Bring chicken stock to boil.
Remove shells from shrimp and add shells to stock.
Simmer gently 15 minutes.
Strain and set aside.
In 4-quart kettle, melt butter, add okra, onions and green pepper and cook, stirring, until almost dry.
Add garlic, thyme and parsley and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
Do not burn garlic.
Add chicken stock, tomatoes, shrimp and bay leaf.
Do not burn garlic. Add chicken stock, tomatoes, shrimp and bay leaf.
Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat 35 to 40 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve over plain white rice.
Serves 4 to 6.