1/2 c. butter
4 tbsp. flour
4 c. liquid water
4 c. okra
4 c. tomatoes
2 lg. onions, chopped
2 sm. green peppers, chopped
2 tsp. Tabasco pepper sauce
1/4 tsp. thyme
2 bay leaves
4 c. shrimp - crabmeat
6 c. hot cooked rice

Melt butter in saucepan. Blend in flour; cook until dark brown. Add liquid, okra, tomatoes, onion, pepper, Tabasco sauce, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add seafood. Cook 10-15 minutes longer. Remove bay leaf. Serve in soup bowl with rice in the middle. Serves 12.