November 27, 2008
Posted: 06:00 AM ET

From
After reading Donna Brazile's memoir, you'll never hunger for politics again.
After reading Donna Brazile's memoir, you'll never hunger for politics again.

Twenty years ago this Thanksgiving, my mom passed away. We buried her the day before and it was hard. No one knew what to do. No one understood how to cook up seafood gumbo, oyster dressing, stuffed bell peppers and pecan pie like Jean.

In fact, no one ever used her special gumbo pot or pans used to stir up the roux until that day back in 1988.

I will never understand why my siblings left it up to me to cook the family meal. It was my first time ever behind Jean's stove. It was the first time ever using her pots.

Unfortunately, I cannot come up with all my delicious recipes. But I can share with you, my mother made every Thanksgiving dish with joy — a dash of laughter, a pinch of cheer. And yes — something cold.

This is simple to make. It's call "roux" and for those who wants to make sure your family stands together this holiday season through thick and thicker, here's the recipe.

Over a nice and large sauce or frying pan, pour one cup of olive, vegetable or canola oil in and start stirring.

Turn the fire down low.

Let it simmer.

And while the oil is sizzling, just remember those days when things were not so hard.

Keep the fire burning. It's just getting hot.

Hmmmm. That's exhaling.

Now, pour about one and a half cups of flour into the hot greasy pan.

Yes, stir. Stir out all those negative thoughts — (right here, fill in the blanks).

Don't add nothing. Just stir.

The roux is starting now.

Oh yes, now it's time to figure out if you need some onions, garlic or peppers inside to spice it up.

Yes… This will help bring flavor to your turkey gravy or seafood gumbo.

Your roux is about you. What you stir, you taste and what you taste — you feel.

Enjoy this holiday season.

If you want to learn how to stir the pots or make my mother's recipe for seafood gumbo, go ahead and buy my book. You'll never hunger for politics again.

Filed under: Uncategorized


Angela   November 28th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Come on, Mike and Michael. How about being a little less critical and try to appreciate the colloquism of New Orleans? Donna is a well educated woman and does a fantastic job weaving together her Mother's cooking and her life in politics.

larry det, mi   November 27th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

I just love donna, from the first time I saw her. She's a prototype of the perfect auntie :)

willie winfrey   November 27th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

how about letting every take up to 50 thousand out of 4 0 one k plan tax free that will get things go the right way the govement will not take on any more debt?

Nate   November 27th, 2008 11:05 am ET

Happy Thanksgiving – now please leave the sappy, overdone sentiments to Hallmark and your self-serving advertisement to Madison Avenue.

Watermann   November 27th, 2008 10:58 am ET

I like her very much.

Mike   November 27th, 2008 10:51 am ET

"Don't add nothing."

Time for some grammer lessons.

michael b rand   November 27th, 2008 10:48 am ET

"don't add Nothing?
where did she go to school?!!

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