Louisiana Shrimp and Eggs Gumbo

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 cups hot water
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 hard-cooked eggs
• 1 cup okra
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups cooked white rice

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or any heavy pan. Stir in flour to make a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, until roux is dark brown; be careful not to burn. Add onion and garlic, and cook until slightly wilted. Whisk in water.

Stir in celery, green onions, tomato, green and red peppers, okra, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Simmer for 1 hour.

Add shrimp and hard boiled eggs; simmer 15 to 20 minutes longer. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve gumbo over rice.