Mama's Easy Gumbo

seafood

Soups

I do not want a  gumbo recipe from the New York Times.  I want a gumbo recipe from an old woman named MawMaw Thibodeaux-Landry, who can bare-knuckle box an alligator while reciting the Holy Rosary in Cajun French.  - Punky Mantilla

1 quart shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 large onion (chopped medium)
4 cups chicken stock or water
1 can chopped tomatoes

6 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
8 pods okra (chopped in slices)
salt & pepper to taste
​red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper, if desired

1. Heat butter, sauté onions; remove onions from pot and reserve.
2. Add flour and blend well, bring to the color of milk chocolate brown.  Stir constantly and DON'T LET IT BURN! 
3. Add stock or water slowly and blend well.  Add onions, okra, tomatoes, and shrimp.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook on low heat until tender.
6. Serve with fluffy rice.