WHAT'S FOR DINNER?: Shrimp Gumbo & rice

Sorry I didn't post any pictures. Gumbo's hard to take pictures of.

Shrimp Gumbo

Serves 8-10

2 lbs fresh shrimp (I used a 2 lb frozen bag of uncooked, peel & deveined shrimp)

Crab boil (I bought the Kroger brand that it's a bag you through in)

2 T bacon drippings

2 T flour

1 diced onion

1 C cooked diced ham

2 lbs fresh, chopped okra (rinse it first very well to remove slime, if you're using frozen okra, rinse it very well too)

2 T chopped parsley

28 oz can tomatoes

1 chopped bell pepper

1 mashed clove garlic

1 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1 lb crab, fresh or frozen (I bought the Blue Star brand pouch of crab meat, it's in the refrigerated section by the butcher)

Cover washed shrimp with water and crab boil. Cook until shrimp are tender, about 10 min. Drain and save water! Peel shrimp and reserve (or skip this if you bought what I did). In an iron pot or Dutch oven make a roux by melting bacon drippings and blending with flour. Cook very slowly over low heat until brown. Immediately add the chopped onion and saute until transparent. Then add ham and okra. Cook about 10 min over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add shrimp water, parsley, tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic, salt & pepper. Simmer mixture for 1 hour & 15 min. Add crab & shrimp and cook 5 min more or until heated thoroughly. Serve with rice.