What's for dinner?

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The word gumbo originally meant okra, which serves as a thickening agent and an inexpensive additive (like hamburger helper).

I found the same definition for gumbo/okra and was surprised to find "Gumbo" recipes without okra.  Go figure.

"My" gumbo uses dark roux.

[nathanm]

What is the brand of "your" Dominican rum?

It's Brugal. I haven't seen it around here, although I haven't looked terribly hard. You want the aged stuff, preferably the extra viejo. In the DR it runs about 400 pesos a liter, or a hair over $11 inclusive of tax.

On tequila, getting 100% agave is more than half the battle. After that it's all about the cask and the length of time it's aged. Oddly enough SWMBO prefers to get drunk on tequila over other drinks, but that's just because Patron doesn't give her hangovers. I'm not sure whether that's because she drinks less because it's so freakin' expensive at drinking establishments or if it actually is better on that front than other high quality liquors. (obviously, quality house vodka is going to give you a terrible hangover no matter how much or little you drink)