Shrimp Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. shrimp
2 Tbsp. oil
2 Tbsp. flour
3 c. okra, chopped, or 1 Tbsp. file
2 onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. oil
3 pods garlic (optional)
1 can tomatoes
2 qt. water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
red pepper (optional)

Preparation

Peel shrimp, uncooked and deveined.
Make a roux (dark) of flour and oil.
Add shrimp to this for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
Set aside.
Smother okra and onions in oil.
Add tomatoes when okra is nearly cooked.
Then add water, bay leaf, garlic, salt and pepper.
Add shrimp and roux to this.
Cover and cook slowly for 30 minutes.