Smothered Okra

Ingredients

• 2 pkg frozen okra
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes
• 2 small cans tomato sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 large shallot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
• ½ lb bacon, diced
• 1½ lb chicken thighs, boned and sliced
• 1 lb smoked sausage
• ½ lb shrimp
• 1 tbs vegetable oil
• 2 tbs vinegar
• Salt, pepper and hot sauce, to taste

Directions

1. Heat a black iron pot over medium heat and add the bacon with ¼ C water. The water will cook the bacon and then evaporate, allowing the bacon to render more completely.
2. When the bacon is browned, remove, set aside and add the chicken thighs. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce and brown them well.
3. Remove from the pot and add sausage. When the sausage is browned, remove and add the vegetables.
4. Scrape the bottom of the pot to get the flavors left by the browned meats.
5. After a few minutes, add the okra and the vinegar, reduce the heat slightly and let the vegetables cook down.
6. Add the Rotel tomatoes and tomato sauce and the meats. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes.
7. Add the shrimp, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Serve over rice with hot French bread.