Joan's Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw peeled and cleaned shrimp (fresh is best, but frozen will work)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup melted shortening or vegetable oil
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (include tops)
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 4 small cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp crushed whole thyme
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 lemon slice
• 2 cups of rice (cooked)