Cheap-to-Make Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• chopped
• 2 -3 cloves fresh garlic
• chopped
• 1 medium green pepper
• chopped
• 2 -3 celery ribs
• chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 12 cup water
• 1 crushed bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)
• 1 -2 cup frozen sliced okra (optional)
• salt and pepper
• cayenne pepper
• 12 ounces frozen baby shrimp (at least)
• cooked rice

Instructions

1. In medium skillet, cook onion, garlic, green pepper and celery in butter or oil until tender.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, bay leaf, parsley, cayenne, and salt and pepper.
3. Add shrimp and okra (if desired) (can put both shrimp and okra in frozen- no need to thaw).
4. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook at least 10 minutes.
5. Remove cover and simmer at least 20 minutes.
6. Serve over cooked rice.