(Lee)
(serves 4-6)

3 Tbsp. butter     2 cups onions, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced   3 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped 3 ripe tomatoes, cored, peeled, and chopped*     1 bay leaf
½ tsp. dried thyme    salt to taste
½ tsp. black pepper    ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
2 lbs. large shrimp, peeled   rice

Melt butter in a large skillet and sauté onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper until tender but not browned.  Add tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper and cayenne.  Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the shrimp and cover.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Serve over rice.

*To peel tomatoes, drop in boiling water for 10-15 seconds.

Omit rice for an Atkins-friendly dish.