Okra Gumbo

Ingredients :

• 1 lb fresh okra, sliced
• ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp butter, melted & divided
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 qt water
• 16 oz can whole tomatoes, undrained & chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1½ tspn salt
• ½ tspn ground red pepper
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp
• ½ lb fresh crabmeat, drained & flaked
• hot cooked rice
• gumbo filé (optional)
  

  Preparation & Cooking instructions

1. Cook okra in 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Set aside.
2. Combining remaining ¼ cup butter and flour in a large Dutch oven; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until roux is chocolate colored (20 to 25 minutes). Stir in green onions, celery, and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender. Add okra, water, and next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Peel and devein shrimp and add shrimp and crabmeat to okra mixture. Simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaf.
4. Serve gumbo over rice. Add gumbo filé if desired.