Cajun & Creole : Seafood Gumbo

• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  
• 1 pound fresh okra or 1 (16-ounce) package frozen okra, thawed, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup chopped onion
  
• 1 cup chopped green onion
  
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
  
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  
• 1/2 cup cubed cooked ham
  
• 1 1/2 quarts fish stock or water
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• 1 fresh sprig thyme
  
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  
• 2 teaspoons Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
  
• 1/2 pound lump crab meat, picked over
  
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  
• 3 cups cooked rice
  
• Additional chopped green onion and parsley for garnish
  

In medium skillet (not cast iron), heat 3 tablespoons oil. Add okra, stirring frequently, and cook 20 to 30 minutes. (Fresh okra will take 30 minutes.) Add vinegar and cook another 10 minutes, until okra is no longer "ropy or slimy" and is lightly browned. Set aside.

In large pot, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add flour, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 30 minutes, until roux turns dark brown and develops nutty aroma. Add onion, scallions, garlic, green pepper, celery and parsley, and cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add tomatoes, okra, ham, fish stock, bay leaves, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, TABASCO^® Sauce and salt. Simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes.

Add shrimp and crab meat, and simmer 5 to 10 minutes. Discard bay leaves and thyme. Serve gumbo over cooked rice with additional TABASCO^® Sauce, if desired. Garnish with scallions and parsley.

Makes 6 servings.