Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 4 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 small bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme
• 12 teaspoon salt
• 12 teaspoon pepper
• 14 teaspoon ground red pepper (to taste)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 12 cup chicken broth or 12 cup water, more if needed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined
• thyme, Italian parsley
• 3 cups cooked rice