Ever since a 2007 trip to New Orleans, I've thought about
trying to recreate some of the amazing food I ate while there. There aren’t a
whole lot of Creole or Cajun options up here in northern Indiana (shocker) and
every once in a while it would creep into my mind, “maaaaybe I could try to
make that.” Immediately followed
by, “NO WAY, it’ll be a disaster, you’ll burn the roux (after working on it for
40 minutes) and have to start all over again! AAAAAH!” Then, like a healthy, normal
person I’d push the thought to the back recesses of my brain and make something
else. Something….safe. Something I
knew I couldn’t screw up too badly, and you know what? I didn’t screw it up- it would turn out
fabulous. Fabulous, and safe.
Now, I wouldn't exactly consider myself a novice cook. I’m no pro by any means, but
I know my way around the kitchen. For me, cooking is a bit cathartic and even
fun. I LOVE it! The more pots and pans scattered around the kitchen afterward,
the better. So yesterday, I decided that it’s just time to try this real deal,
pretty authentic gumbo, roux and all. Roux is tricky- takes patience and has to
be done just right, so I had heard. Cook it all through until deep chocolaty brown; but
stopping before it burns (which is a very fine line). So, I researched recipes till my
eyeballs were going to fall out and then just WENT FOR IT! While cooking the
roux, I was nervous, “do I know what I’m doing? I don’t want to be the wife
that ruins Valentine’s dinner during the blizzard when we can’t go get take-out
if it is a disaster.” Not over exaggerating here folks- a legit BLIZZARD with
our county under a travel ban. Bless it.
So, I stuck some Cajun tunes on
Spotify. That is a MUST in my cooking world by the way- tunes must match the
cuisine and there also must be dancing while cooking. A lot of dancing, a
little dancing, it really doesn’t matter; as long as it is dancing. Noah joined
me today. I told him the more we danced, the better dinner would taste. I had
to say something to buy time over the 2-hour cooking process. But my, oh, my- we DANCED. Danced and
stirred, danced and waited.
Anyway, you know what? That beautiful pot of Gumbo may
easily have been the best thing I have ever made. Ever. I would have never known if I didn't just try it.
I
waited 8 years to try making that Gumbo. I waited, because I didn’t know how it
would turn out. It feels silly talking all serious about a pot of stew, but you
know what, there are so many things (little and big) that we wait on, or don’t do. So many times, the
reason is nerves, fear, or insecurity. Dumb, Dumb, and Dumb. I’m calling you out fear. Peace out.
Life Lessons at the bottom of the Gumbo Pot:
1.) DON"T be scared.
2.) No more waiting- do it.
3.) When nervous or anxious, a good life option is to just
DANCE IT OUT.
Love,
Amber
