Shrimp Okra Gumbo
["4 Tbsp. cooking oil", "1 large onion, chopped", "2 lb. fresh okra, sliced", "2 lb. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined", "1 gal. water", "3 large cloves garlic (whole)", "salt and pepper to taste", "hot sauce to taste"]
["Into a heavy gumbo pot, pour oil; add onions and fry for 5 minutes.", "Add okra; smother for 45 minutes or until cooked.", "Add salted shrimp, water and garlic.", "Bring to a boil, then simmer for 40 minutes.", "(Okra seeds will look brown.)", "Before serving, mash whole cooked garlic pods that float on the top.", "Season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce.", "Serve over rice.", "For a variation, add 1 can whole tomatoes, smothered with okra.", "Yield: 8 to 10 servings.", "The flavor is even better the next day."]
["cooking oil", "onion", "fresh okra", "fresh shrimp", "water", "garlic", "salt", "hot sauce"]