vegetarian gumbo (This is good.)

Published: Sat, 02/28/26

** strange times * teacher * ritual * comfort **

VEGETARIAN GUMBO - This is good. (little slice of okra) / During the COVID year, Ingrid took an online cooking class through Project Success. / May the actual gods bless this organization. Every class day, once a week, program staff would deliver — to our front steps! — a bag of groceries, everything needed for that day's recipe. / The teacher, James, started every class by asking each person to share their name and pronouns. And every single time he gave
exactly the same perfect concise explanation of what personal pronouns are.

(Ingrid standing at kitchen counter with open laptop. Big pot on the stove. Laptop shows one big face and many small windows). Big face: Pronouns are what we call you when we're not calling you by your name. I use he and him pronouns, some people use she and her pronouns, some people use they and them pronouns, some people use different pronouns you can tell us about..." / James was the most gentle, patient, unflappable person in the whole world.

[the first time they boiled water] Portion of laptop screen with six windows visible: tennis ball flying thru air; top of somebody's head; eyeball; anonymous head/shoulders symbol; James; kid with big worried face. KWBWF: "THERE"S SMOKE COMING OFF OF MINE!!!"; James: That white stuff you see is called steam. It means your water is about to boil.

[the time they made mac & cheese] (windows on laptop screen: someone's neck; anonymous head symbol, big hand, glass of milk,, hand and elbow, steaming pot, three people's faces crammed in together, banana and windowsill, baby peering over counter, silly face, anonymous head/shoulders, cheese grater, cat, James, worried-looking kid) Worried-looking kid: "Um ... what if you forgot to drain the pasta before you added the cheese?" James: "That's
ok! The texture of your dish will be a little different this time ... like a soup!" / Ingrid learned to cooi a different delicious thing every week for that whole school year. Sometimes it was a dessert or other treat, but usually it was a complete dinner. This gumbo was a fave, and I've made it many times since. So hot, filling, and delicious!

(drawings of ingredients) 1/2 c butter, 2/3 c flour, 2 bell peppers, diced, 2 celery stalks, diced, 1 small onion, diced, 1 cup frozen chopped okra, defrosted, 5 cloves garlic, minced, 3 cups veg or chicken stock, small head of cauliflower, chopped, 1 lb. mushrooms, diced

(more drawings of ingredients) 1 can diced tomatoes (or fire roasted if you like); 2 T Cajun seasoning, 1/2 t thyme; 1/2 t cayenne (or to taste); 1 bay leaf; sliced green onions for garnish; cooked rice for serving./ 1. In a large, heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and keep cooking, stirring constantly, until roux is dark brown and toasty. It could take as long as 20 minutes.

2. Add bell peppers, celery, onion, okra, and garlic. Stirring occasionally, cook about 5 minutes to soften vegetables. / 3. Gradually add the stock, stirring until the liquid is smooth. / 4. Add cauliflower, mushrooms, tomatoes, seasoning, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf, and salt to taste. Stir and bring to a simmer. / 5. Let simmer on medium-low for 5—10 minutes, or until veggies are as cooked as you like. / 6. Serve with rice, topped with thinly sliced green
onions.

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