Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 4 cups peeled seeded & chopped plum tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• salt, to taste
• cayenne pepper, to taste
• 1 cup water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 tablespoons flour, mixed with
• 1/4 cup cold water
• spice essence
• 6 cups cooked white rice
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• Essence
• 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 oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme