Whether making a down-home Cajun gumbo with lots of okra and shrimp or a greenish caramel-colored Gumbo z'herbes with lots of greens, there are some best practices to follow and some common pitfalls ...

or thrown into something like our shrimp and okra gumbo recipe. A bite through its thick, tender, almost velvety skin releases a delightful pop of crunchy yet juicy seeds. Perfectly cooked okra starts ...