1 or 2 lbs. shrimp
1 c. cubed ham
1 c. uncooked rice
1 med. diced bell pepper
1 med. onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 clove garlic, mashed
1 sm. bay leaf
About 1/4 cup oil
About 1 quart water
1 sm. can tomato paste

Using a heavy pot (because of scorching) put oil in pot on medium heat. Add uncooked rice, onion, pepper, celery and garlic. Stir often as rice becomes slightly brown. Immediately pour in water. Add salt and about 1 tablespoon sugar. Put in bay leaf. Stir well and cover. Before covering put in tomato paste. You need to stir often. After about 10 minutes rice should be opening up and you should have some liquid in the pot, if not add a little water. Cleaned and deveined shrimp should be put in pot. Cover and take off fire. Shrimp will cook in pot. Let stand 10 minutes. Serves 4 to 6