Creole Beef and Okra Soup

Name: Creole Beef and Okra Soup
Ingredients: 1 pound beef short ribs; 8 cups cold water; bouquet garni of 2 bay leaves, parsley, and a large pinch of dried thyme; 2 medium onions (peeled); 2 carrots (halved); ¼ pound small green beans; 4 ribs celery (chopped); 14.5 ounces canned, whole tomatoes (drained); ¼ large green bell pepper (chopped); ¾ pound fresh or frozen sliced okra; ⅓ cup long grain white rice; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 fresh tomato (diced (for garnish))