Creole-Style Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups white pea beans, soaked and drained
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup diced cooked ham or 1/2 cup smoked sausage
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (540 ml) can tomatoes
1 (156 ml) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 (300 g) package frozen okra, partly thawed and sliced
1 cup medium-sized shrimp
2 -3 drops hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preparation

In a large saucepan combine beans with broth. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer 45 minutes until beans are tender.
Add ham, celery, onion, garlic, seasonings and sauces. Break up tomatoes; mix with tomato paste and mustard; stir into bean mixture. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
Bring to boil; add okra and cook 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in shrimp, cook 3 to 4 minutes until shrimp and okra are cooked. Serve with whole grain bread or cornmeal muffins.