Commander's Palace Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 pounds peeled raw shrimp
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 quarts water
• 1 pound claw crabmeat
• 1/4 bunch parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 (8 ounce) package frozen okra
• 1/2 pint oysters with juice
• Salt and pepper
  

Instructions

1. Make a roux with the flour and shortening.
2. Add garlic and cook until golden brown.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook until transparent.
4. Add shrimp and tomato sauce, simmer for 10 minutes, stir in water, and blend well.
5. Add all other ingredients except okra and oysters. Cook for 1 hour.
6. Add okra, and cook for 20 minutes.
7. Add oysters and cook for 10 minutes longer.
8. Serve in a soup bowl over steamed rice.