Cooking By The Book


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~
SOUPS, SALADS AND SANDWICHES ~  
HANK’S CAJUN GUMBO  
Setting the Scene:  
Vickie, a distraught mother searching for answers to her daughter’s drug-related  
death, has become friends with Hank, an addict turned drug counselor. Hank has  
promised to cook her a Cajun gumbo in his apartment over his rehab center. The cooking  
has beeninterrupted when Hank stops to register a young addict wanting help in the  
center.  
Excerpt from LAST STEP:  
After answering a few more of Annie’s questions, he took her back to Hilda to  
start her classes. He then escorted Vickie back to his apartment. “Sorry to have our day  
interrupted like that but that girl needed help. I hope she makes it.”  
“She seems so sincere,” Vickie replied.  
“We’ll do our best. The rest is up to her.” He changed the subject. “Let’s start that  
gumbo. I’m starved. Make yourself useful, woman. I’ll peel the shrimp; you cut up the  
okra and onions.”  
He got out a cutting board and knife for her. When their fingers touched, Vickie  
felt the familiar tingle. She knew he did, too, but he turned away and busied himself  
getting a large black iron pot and setting it on the stove.  
The meal was delicious. They carried on a conversation about Saturday’s plans.  
Both were conscious of the contained feelings in the room. Vickie knew that Hank had  
only to make a slight move in her directionand they would end up in bed. Hank restrained  
himself. He took her back to the hotel but made no move to accompany her to her room.  
Hank’s Cajun Gumbo  
Ingredients:  
1
1
1
1
1
2
lb fresh shrimp  
lb crab meat (whole boiled, cleaned crab or crab claws can be substituted)  
lb fresh okra (frozen cut okra can be used)  
medium onion  
medium bell pepper  
stalks of celery  
2
0


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