Shrimp Okra Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 lb. fresh okra, sliced
2 lb. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 gal. water
3 large cloves garlic (whole)
salt and pepper to taste
hot sauce to taste

Preparation

Into a heavy gumbo pot, pour oil; add onions and fry for 5 minutes.
Add okra; smother for 45 minutes or until cooked.
Add salted shrimp, water and garlic.
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 40 minutes.
(Okra seeds will look brown.)
Before serving, mash whole cooked garlic pods that float on the top.
Season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
Serve over rice.
For a variation, add 1 can whole tomatoes, smothered with okra.
Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
The flavor is even better the next day.