Smothered Okra - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/3 c. vegetable oil
2 lb. okra, washed under cool water, stemmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
3 c. chopped onions
2 c. chopped bell peppers
1 c. chopped celery
2 (1 lb.) cans whole tomatoes, crushed with their liquid
3 tsp. cayenne
3/4 c. water or chicken broth

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0. Pour the oil into the bottom of a large roasting pot, not cast-iron. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to mix well. Cover the pot with a lid. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300\u00b0. Continue baking with the lid on for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until slime has disappeared. Bake, uncovered, for the last 15 minutes of cooking time. Remove and cool completely before storing in freezer containers. This is excellent to serve as a side dish or to use as the base for okra gumbo. Makes 10 servings.