4 tsp. flour
4 tsp. oil
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 c. cut okra
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. chopped parsley
1 tsp. thyme
2 c. chopped ham
1 lb. smoked sausage
1 lb. (or more) shrimp
2 c. cooked chicken
6 c. boiling water or broth
1 can tomato sauce
3 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Make a dark brown roux with oil and flour. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and okra. Fry a few minutes over low heat. Add tomato sauce, garlic, bay leaf, parsley and thyme. Add the meat. Pour in the water or broth. Salt and pepper to taste and add Worcestershire sauce. Simmer at least 1 hour. Add shrimp and cook about 15 minutes more. Serve over hot cooked rice. This freezes well.

You may use as much or as little of the meat as you want.