Sweet Creamy Cake

 I've learned a new bundt cake, this one from Food52 called the Sweet Cream Bundt.  It's got an eggy texture and a scent like a Chinese egg custard tart.  So far each member of my family has had two pieces!  And I'm taking it to an informal gathering later this evening.  Should be fun. . . We've had a few during COVID, one for my birthday and a few on Zoom.  We might scarf paint later this summer.

Sweet Cream Bundt

1 1/4 cups sugar

• 1 1/4 cups flour
  
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
  
• 4 large eggs
  
• 1/2 cup cold water
  

Combine the sugar, flour, and baking powder.  Separately, combine eggs and water until smooth.  Then add egg mix to dry mix and mix until smooth.  Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Keep in bundt pan and pour into cream mix while still hot.

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  
• 2 tablespoons butter
  
• 2 tablespoons sugar
  
• When you take cake out of the oven, combine the above cream, butter, and sugar and microwave until hot but not boiling (under 2 minutes.)  Pour into cake still in bundt pan and let sit for 15 minutes.  Then loosen the cake and turn it out.

• Maple drizzle
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  
• 2 teaspoons maple extract
  
• 2 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed to yield a thin icing
• When cake is cooled, you can mix this glaze and drizzle over cake.  

Baking Today

It's a rainy Saturday and we're out of bread, so I'm making a new sourdough sandwich loaf from a friend who got it from The Kitchn today.  It's kinda cliche, right, to be making sourdough bread right now?  Though, I'm pretty late to the party.  In fairness, I've had a sourdough starter for years but only used it for a biscuit recipe that we made irregularly.  I think a sandwich loaf would be great, especially with us eating more sandwiches and toast these days.  It's kind of a cheater recipe, because it also adds commercial, but so does my biscuit recipe.

-=-=-=-=-=-

Beginner Sourdough Sandwich Loaf

YIELDMakes 2 loaves

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 cups (16 ounces) ripe sourdough starter (or any amount up to 2 cups, add equivalent flour and water by weight)
• 4 to 4 1/2 cups (18 to 20 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 scant tablespoon table salt)

1. Combine the water and the yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl. Give the yeast a few minutes to dissolve completely. Stir in the sourdough starter until the starter is mostly dissolved (a few stringy bits are ok).  

   Add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and stir to make a shaggy dough. With the dough hook attachment and your mixer on low speed, knead the dough for about 8 minutes. Alternatively, turn the dough out on a lightly floured counter and knead by hand. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time as needed if the dough becomes sticky like bubble gum, but try to avoid adding too much. The dough is finished kneading when it comes together into a smooth ball that's slightly tacky to the touch and holds a ball-shape in your hand.

   Clean out the mixing bowl, film it with a little oil, and return the dough to the bowl. Turn it a few times to coat with oil, then cover. Let the dough rise at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.Once risen, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and divide it in two. Shape each half into rough balls and let them rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pans.Shape each half into a sandwich loaf.  Transfer the loaves to the loaf pans and cover loosely. Let the loaves rise until they're starting to puff over the rim of the pan, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Alternatively, put your loaves in the refrigerator and let them rise slowly overnight. When you see the loaves just starting to reach the rim of the loaf pans, begin preheating the oven to 450°F.Slash the top of the loaves a few time with a serrated knife or baking lame, and slide them immediately into the oven. For a crispier crust, spritz the inside of the oven with water using a water spritzer before closing the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400°F. Continue baking for another 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops of the loaves are deep golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. (Total baking time is 35 to 40 minutes.)Shake the loaves out of the loaf pans and let them cool completely on a cooling rack. 

 

Cake, Cats, and Crochet

Yesterday, I satisfied a craving for cake that I've had.  I don't know why, but I've had cake on the brain for weeks.  I tried a new recipe from the NYTimes--the chocolate cake made with mayo instead of eggs and oil.  While it was baking, I worked on the crocheted pocket scarf/shawl that I'm making for Mama Teacher, with our sweet Hermione curled up next to me.  A lovely morning.  And yes, I had a cuppa.   All I needed was the snow that is falling today instead of yesterday.

NYTimes One Bowl Chocolate Mayo Cake

**I used Constant Comment tea and orange extract.

¾ cup/180 milliliters boiling water, or use hot coffee, Earl Grey tea or mint tea

¼ cup/25 grams unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed or natural)

1 to 2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate (optional)

⅔ cup/160 milliliters mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

¾ cup/150 grams granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or a dash of bourbon or whiskey (optional)

1 ½ cups/190 grams all-purpose or cake flour

 Confectioners’ sugar, for finishing

To a large mixing bowl, add cocoa powder and chopped bittersweet chocolate (if using). Pour in boiling liquid, and let it sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth. The chocolate will have melted, if you used it, and the cocoa dissolved.

Whisk in mayonnaise, salt, baking soda, 3/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Then whisk in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, if you have it (or a dash of Bourbon or brandy or just leave it out entirely). Finally, whisk in 1 1/2 cups flour (either all-purpose or cake flour), mixing vigorously to eliminate any lumps.

Grease an 8- or 9-inch pan (square, round, star-shaped, anything is good). Pour the batter into the pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 22 to 40 minutes, until the top springs back when the center is lightly pressed. The deeper the pan, the longer it will take to bake through.

Let cool, and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar to finish.

Today's Political Post

 A few more thoughts:

--Thinking of the family and friends of Capitol officer Brian Sicknick. May they be comforted. (And lower the flag even if #45 doesn't order it!)

--Impeachment! In fact, I can't believe it takes a second impeachment to implement the loss of his benefits and ability to be elected again.

--And charge all those who spoke at the rally to incite violence and insurrection.

--While many of the images I've seen of the attack are of costumed white men acting up--carrying podiums, sitting at desks, taking selfies, wearing horns--and some of the stories have been infantile (smearing feces everywhere), make no mistake that the real intent of many of the rioters was deadly. Reports indicate they were looking to execute VP Pence and the threats to Democratic lawmakers like Pelosi and AOC were real. So were the bombs and molotov cocktails discovered elsewhere. Some of the terrorists now claim that they merely walked through an open door at the Capitol, just to look around, and the Capitol Police should have done a better job of keeping them out then! Don't let them gaslight us with what we know many were there to do. That some people just followed along is no defense. Arrest and charge them. I'm not a lawyer, but it has to be criminal trespass or something, even if they weren't armed. And for those caught on video chanting threats within the building, press the more serious charges. And find who killed Officer Sickkick.

--I'm glad to see that there are other consequences, namely losing employment, for those captured on video or TV interviews. And I support those who are working to recognize the terrorists. For people who cite the First Amendment, it is surprising they don't know it--free speech is ONLY protected from government oppression, not private or commercial enterprises. This has been supported at the highest judicial levels numerous times (again, not a lawyer and can't quote precedents.) Breaking into a public building and threatening violence and wrecking destruction are not free speech. Yes, they can be fired for such terrorist activities. Yes, I think they should be.

--Same for #45. I think it was about time that social media blocked him. He has a whole fucking press corps who could carry his messages. But the platforms weren't going to do it because it made money for them by attracting followers and they wanted the cover from his and his followers' retribution. I'm glad he's off Twitter, etc.

--I won't even dignify all those "It was Antifa" excuses. Nope.

--And, yes, this is "who we are"--racist, violent, narcissistic, close-minded, stubborn. We are also those who decry such activities. But many of those opposed to #45 and broader white supremacy etc have not been active or loud enough in opposition, myself included. This must change. It's never to late to stand up and so "no more."

--Those "Jesus saves" signs surprise some Christians. It is very little surprise to those of us outside of Christianity. Christian identity has long been in lock-step with American exceptionalism and nationalism. We need to strengthen the separation between church and state and go after the protected, non-profit status of congregations whose pulpits brazenly preach politics.

--I am grateful for Heather Cox Richardson. She is light in the darkness with her explanations of events and historical precedents, even if oftentimes her news is still awful.

Political Musings

 

Some thoughts on Thursday, January 7:

--White privilege was on full display at the Capitol yesterday. BIPOC protesters would have been slaughtered.

--This was clearly another battle of the Civil War, which has not ended in the minds of so many. I hated seeing the Texas flag along side the Confederate one, but not surprised. I was actually surprised there wasn't more Neo-Nazi insignia (though, there was the Camp Auschwitz shirt.) And the Vikings were there, too. It was a free-for-all for any white Christian Nationalist identity that appeals to 20-40 yo white males (and yes, some women.)

--25th Amendment for #45 and sedition charges for terrorists.

--Yes, terrorists.

--It's too little too late, Mitch McConnell. You get no points.

--Why are there videos of Capitol police opening the barricades to these terrorists? Were there some sympathizers? I'd like to see more about what happened. But clearly the Capitol police were outmanned and most did a courageous thing in trying to protect our Capitol.

--I imagine the win of the two GA senators and the idea of Garland for AG were fuel to the fire.

--It could have been so much worse and I expect we will see more violence around the country in the months ahead. Part of me believes that as a nation we are at or approaching rock bottom and that this violence will have turned some away from #45 and his ilk (and not just his wife's social secretary!) In many ways, I think the terrorists will have defeated their own cause.

--There's more swirling in my head but this will do for now.

Here, this morning, I am saddened but not shocked. I am angry and somewhat desirous of punitive, retributive justice. As a family, we had solemn discussions of white supremacy and racists systems, treason and terrorism, and my kids know more about government than I ever did. But day before yesterday, Bud spoke truth to power when one of his teachers used a slur for the virus and the teacher apologized. I have faith in the younger generation, but I'm sorry we've created so much mess and chaos and division for them.

My thoughts this morning, Friday, January 8, 2021:

--In the 21st century, we do not need 2 months between election and inauguration so people can travel by horse or rail to get to DC. Shorten the time! It was shortened before.

--All those resigning cabinet members who have been complicit in #45's misdeeds are only leaving so they don't have to invoke the 25th Amendment and betray their master. They are not having an attack of morals but the need to protect their own skins. No points for you, Elaine Chao. And buh-bye Betsy.

--Where are all of the arrests?

--You go, Nancy Pelosi. Impeach #45 again and disqualify him from further office or we will be facing his return in 4 years. And hearing about it everyday until then.

--Too little too late, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Especially Twitter letting him back on in 12 hours. Still, so far, these are the only repercussions he's faced for sedition.

--What to say about the terrorist who was killed? I am sorry for her family and friends. But, she was knowingly invading a government building in order to interrupt and prevent a Constitutionally required certification, which goes against her oath as a member of the armed forces to uphold the Constitution; this wasn't a question of first amendment protection here. And then she did not comply with orders from law enforcement. Isn't that what white supremacists always say about black people who are shot, suffocated, etc for driving, sleeping, walking, shopping while black? I don't know where it comes from, but I'm hearing a lot about "play stupid games, get stupid prizes." But you can't bring guns and bombs and Molotov cocktails to a protest and expect impunity . . . unless you're white, which is the only reason she was the only terrorist killed. I'm sorry there was any loss of life--particularly now that we are hearing that a police officer has died from injuries.

--I want #45 and all his bullies arrested and tried. And no self-pardons. I think he shouldn't be able to pre-emptively pardon everybody, much less himself. (In fact, the whole presidential pardon thing needs to be re-evaluated.) And I don't want Biden issuing a pardon to heal the nation like Ford did. Nope. I want hearings and I want justice. It's not on the same order of the Nazis, but the Nuremberg trials were important for justice being seen to be done, from the top officials all the way down to the guards. So, from the administration all the way down to complicit Capitol police and that newly-elected WV lawmaker.

Okay, that's my mental purge for this morning. And I haven't really even read the papers yet this morning.