Bubba Gump'S Greenbow County Okra Gumbo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb fresh okra, sliced
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 bunch green onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 quarts water
1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 lb unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp
1/2 lb fresh crabmeat, drained and flaked
hot cooked rice
gumbo file (optional)

Preparation

Cook okra in 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned.
Set aside.
Combine remaining butter and flour in a large dutch oven, cook over medium high, stirring constantly until roux is chocolate colored-around 20-25 min (I say have a beer while doing this) Stir in green onions, celery and garlic, cook stirring constantly until veg is tender.
Add okra, water and the next 6 ingredients.
Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer uncovered 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Peel and devein shrimp, add that and crab to okra mixture.
Simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove and discard bay leaf.
Serve gumbo over rice.
Sprinkle with file if desired.