Okra Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. fresh okra, cut in 1/2-inch slices
drippings or oil
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 clove crushed garlic
3 to 4 tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped or 1 large can tomatoes, drained
1 can tomato paste
1 can water
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper
1 lb. shrimp
1 c. smoked ham, bacon or sausage, in thin slices

Preparation

Wash, stem and slice okra.
In a large pan, saute okra in drippings. Add green pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes, paste, water and seasoning.
Simmer about 20 minutes, then add shrimp and sausage or ham. Cook 45 minutes.
If bacon is being used, add after 35 minutes. Serve over fluffy rice.
Yields 4 to 6 servings.