Greenbow County Okra Gumbo

Ingredients

• 1 pound okra fresh
• sliced
• 1/4 cup butter plus 2 tbs
• melted
• 1/4 cup flour
• all-purpose
• 1 bunch scallions
• spring or green onions sliced
• 1/2 cup celery chopped
• 2 each garlic cloves minced
• 2 quarts water
• 16 ounces tomatoes whole
• undrained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley leaves fresh
• chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ground
• 1 Sprig thyme fresh
• 1 each bay leaves
• 1 pound shrimp unpeeled
• fresh
• 1/2 pound crab meat fresh
• drained
• flaked
• 1 x rice hot cooked

Instructions

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