"There's a thing I've dreamed of all my life, and I'll be damned if it don't look like it's about to come true—to be King of the Zulu's parade. After that, I'll be ready to die." ~ Louis Armstrong ( Time magazine, February 21, 1949) ~ ' Mardi Gras ' orchids* (life ... lives on) ___________________ SHELLFISH GUMBO ~ from a fav source, Legal Sea Foods Cookbook , comes this slightly adapted (with the addition of herbs) peasant dish, perfect for 'Mardi Gras' and the upcoming season of Lent _________ 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil (preferably grape seed ) 2 Tbsp. toasted unbleached, all-purpose flour* 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped sweet onions 3/4 cup chopped celery 1 lb. (1/4-inch sliced) okra (frozen is fine) 1 1/2 cups peeled, seeded chopped tomatoes 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 bay leaf 6 cups hot fish, shrimp or chicken stock 1-2 tsp. chopped garlic 1-1/1/2 lbs. peeled shrimp 8 oz. fresh (picked over for shells & cartilage) crabmeat 1 pint fr...
( musings of a 'HO-HUM HOUSEWIFE' )