CREOLE GUMBO

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
3 strips bacon, diced
3 tablespoons bacon drippings
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons flour
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 quarts water
Salt and pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
Large pinch red or cayenne pepper
1 cup cleaned shrimp
1 cup crab meat
1 pint oysters and liquids
2 1/2 cups cut okra

Preparation

Fry onion and chopped bacon in drippings for a few minutes in a large pot. Add remaining ingredients — except seafood and okra. Bring to a gentle boil and cook 30 minutes. Add seafood and okra and simmer 25 minutes. Turn heat off; cover pot and let sit 20 minutes before serving. To serve, ladle gumbo into soup plates and top with a mound of hot cooked rice.