Allister Smiled at the comment. "Well adventure is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much, a trip down one of the passages till we hop up, cross the street and re enter a few hours walk from where we just exited. A ways down before we pop up at my parents house, make it look like someone lives there and then take the tunnels down to the abandoned station where I live. By that time it will be when school lets out, and we will be right at the hospital you went to yesterday, more or less." By this time they had reached the dining hall where the lesson would be taught. During a short preface on Cajun culture there was an explanation on why the ingredients were essential a result of what was on hand. Then the ingredients were brought out and a detailed explanation on how specific flavors tended to interact in this kind of dish. A variety of peppers and tomatoes were 'sweated' in a pot with some onions while various meets were cooked in another. Then a number of spices was brought out, mixed and added to flour and used to make a gravy, called a 'rue' Finally the meats and veggies were added and a pot of Chicken stock was added, and a few more spices to taste, including bay leaf which would be removed before serving. During the lecture the assembled guests ate a batch that had been prepared before hand, the chef then invited attendees to come up and take a small sample of the fresh Gumbo for comparison as a lead in to explaining how simmering the dish over a number of hours matured the dish enhancing flavor, and then moved on to a discussion about when to add the rice to the dish for the best effect. By this time however Allister and Allison had finished eating and were heading out of the old sub way station that had served as the presentation hall. Allister sat down after they had moved a ways away with a big smile of satisfaction induced by the hearty meal.



