Ingredients: 2 bay leaves,1 (14 ounce) can whole tomatoes (chopped),1/ 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste),1 cup celery (diced),1/ 2 cup flour,1 handful parsley (sliced),3 cloves garlic (chopped),1 bunch green onions (sliced),1 cup green pepper (diced),1/ 2 cup oil,1 pound okra (trimmed and cut into 1/4 inch slices),1 cup onion (diced),1 teaspoon oregano,1 teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper to taste,1 pound shrimp (shelled and deveined, save those shells for shrimp stock),4 cups shrimp stock,1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions: Heat the oil in a big sauce pan over medium heat, sprinkle in the flour while blending and simmer till it turns a dark brown, about 10-20 minutes., Add the onions, celery and green pepper and cook up until tender, about 7-10 minutes., Include the garlic and cook till aromatic, about a minute., Include the okra and cook for 10 minutes., Include the shrimp stock, tomatoes, paprika, cayenne, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper and give a boil., Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer covered for 1-3 hours., Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-5 minutes., Serve with rice and garnish with green onions and parsley.