Shrimp Gumbo

• 6 quarts water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons seafood seasoning
• 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp
• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 pounds okra, sliced
• 1 cup chopped ham
• 1 (24-ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup finely chopped green pepper
• 1 pound lump crab meat
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon whole oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon whole thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Hot cooked rice

1. Bring water and seafood seasoning to a boil in a large Dutch oven; add shrimp, and return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Drain well, reserving liquid; rinse shrimp with cold water. Peel and devein shrimp; chill until needed.
2. Melt bacon drippings in a 10- quart stock pot over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add onion, and saute until tender. Add okra and ham; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 10 minutes. Add next 10 ingredients; mix well. Pour 6 cups reserved shrimp liquid into gumbo; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally (add additional water, if necessary). Add shrimp, and cook an additional 20 minutes.
3. Remove bay leaves; spoon gumbo into individual soup bowls over rice. Serve immediately.

water, seafood seasoning, shrimp, bacon, flour, onion, okra, ham, tomatoes, celery, green pepper, crab meat, clove garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, rice

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/shrimp-gumbo-1 (may not work)