Shrimp Savannah: A Recipe

(For seducing a new lover.)

Ingredients:

1 medium pot freshly cooked basmati rice
2 cups large (or 3 cups small or medium) shrimp
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen whole okra
6 of the firmest, reddest, medium-sized plumb tomatoes you can find
1 bag fresh organic raw spinach
2 large cloves of freshly crushed garlic
1 t. coarsely ground black pepper
(This ingredient is essential. Do not substitute.)
3 T. tamari or soy sauce
2 generous pinches, or ¼ cup of fresh or frozen basil
(a natural aphrodisiac)
3 T. olive oil
1 fresh lemon
4 T. water

Devein, clean, and rinse the shrimp in hot lemon water. Finely chop the basil and mix it with the tamari/soy sauce, garlic, water, and black pepper. Put these into a bowl with the shrimp, mixing with your clean hand (not a spoon). Think sexy thoughts as you handle the shrimp. Marinate for 2 hours in the fridge. Prepare a large, heavy frying pan or wok with the olive oil. Lovingly layer two of your favourite plates with the rice, spinach, and slices from the tomatoes. Slice them so that they most resemble vulva. Serve with a snakebite (half cider/half beer) or a sweet white wine. Recommended music: Sting's Nothing Like the Sun, or anything by Sade.

From the chapbook "secrets & lies: poetry and other words" by Cassendre Xavier (ARtivist Publications)

Copyright © 2005 by Cassendre Xavier. All rights reserved. http://cassEndrExavier.com