Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh peeled, deveined and washed shrimp
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 lemon
• 2 1/2 c. water
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, mashed
• 2 c. whole tomatoes, fresh or canned
• 1/2 c. tomato sauce
• liquid from boiled shrimp
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• small piece of bell pepper, cut fine
• 1 tsp. sweet basil
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• chopped parsley
• onion tops, chopped