Shrimp And Okra Stew Of The Southeastern Tribes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. okra, washed
6 tomatoes, washed and cored
1 bay leaf, crumbled
4 peppercorns
1 c. water
1 1/2 lb. shelled and deveined raw shrimp
1/2 tsp. gumbo file, mixed with 1 Tbsp. cold water
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Preparation

Leave the small okra pods whole, but slice the larger ones in two crosswise.
Place the okra, tomatoes, bay leaf, peppercorns and water in a large, heavy kettle and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes have broken up and the okra is tender.
Add the shrimp and simmer 10 minutes more.
Stir in the gumbo file and salt and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Serve hot in soup bowls.