Gumbo

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 pounds okra, washed in cold water, caps removed and tips cut into 1/4-inch rounds
• Essence, recipe follows
• 2 cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped celery
• Salt
• Cayenne
• 5 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 8 cups water
• 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups cooked white rice, warm
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme