Smothered Okra

1. Place a heavy pot on a burner and heat the oil.
2. Add okra to the pot and cook on medium/low heat, occasionally stirring, being careful not to burn the okra.
3. Cook until the okra is browned and no longer slimy, which takes about a half hour to an hour; add a small amount of water if the okra sticks to the pot.
4. Add onions, bell peppers, celery, and tomatoes, and cook for 20 minutes or more until the vegetables are soft and browned some more; again, add a small amount of water if vegetables begin to stick to the pot.
5. Stir in the garlic and let simmer for a few more minutes.
6. Season with salt and red cayenne pepper. 

Gumbo

1. Stir shrimp into smothered okra and simmer, stirring often, for 5 minutes on medium-low heat until the shrimp is cooked.
2. Add chicken broth and water and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
3. Pour small amounts of water if needed to adjust the thickness of the gumbo.
4. Taste to adjust seasoning and add kitchen bouquet as a browning agent if gumbo is not brown enough.
5. Serve hot gumbo in a bowl ladled over cooked rice.