Don’t Boo, VOTE!

11.8.16

So I did not plan on taking last week off.  But it happened, and I’ve moved past it, and I’m sure you have too.  I’ve been waiting for this day forever, or at least what feels like forever because this election has gone on for an eeeeettttteeeerrrrrnnnniiiiitttyyyyyyy. So after today, it’s done, and the next four years are decided.  And I urge you to vote.  It’s your right, as an American, you get to put in your two cents.  So do it.  I don’t post a ton of shit online about politics, because it’s a rabbit hole that leads to arguments, hurt feelings, and anger.  The one thing it doesn’t lead to is a changed opinion.  Social media just let’s people who have never met be pissed at each other for 15 months.  It’s the worst.  Who’s ready for stupid YouTube videos and pictures of pandas becoming best friends with a sloth to come back? Because I am. This is the farthest thing from a political blog possible, but I will say loud and proud I cannot WAIT to vote for the first female presidential nominee.  The fact a woman is even nominated leaves me a little speechless, just a little, I still will talk forever.  I’m excited that as my right as an American, I can vote for her. And then proceed to hole myself up in my apartment, make homemade burritos with my husband (hashtag badhombres), and with a bottle of bourbon by our side, hope and pray that the country makes the right choice. Because I think shit is going to go DOWN today, no matter who wins. And I truly believe the other option will have dire consequences for what will happen to this country.  

So you’re having people over to watch what happens? You should! Have a group of supporting loved ones around.  Considering this country has become so polarized in the past year and a half, we need some kindness around. And what better treat to serve than an Election Cake??

This is a savory cake.  It’s full of raisins and dried figs, cinnamon and walnuts.  Adapted and based off a recipe from The First American Cookbook, it’s something that would be baked en masse. It’s almost like a bread, dense, with yeast, needing to rise before baking. Way back in the day, there wasn’t baking powder, so this being closer to a bread makes sense.  Also in olden times, Election Day was a huge deal because it was like a national party.  Women would bring this cake to Town Halls to encourage the men to come out and vote.  Lots of booze and lots of cake.  Sounds like me every weekend. This election has been so draining, I agreed with the old timey Americans and topped this cake with a bourbon glaze.  Good lord we need it.

So I totally forgot to drizzle booze into this cake.  It just slipped my mind (maybe I was too excited about a bourbon glaze). But since this cake is more like a bread, drizzling brandy, or whiskey mixed with a little orange juice, or Grand Marnier is a great way to moisten up this cake. And get drunk. Basically fill it with booze, serve it warm for the party, save the leftovers and dunk it in next morning’s coffee.  Which depending on how tonight goes, may also have booze in it.

How could I not dress in red, white, and blue to prepare for this day? These red pants have been waiting all their lives for this post.  

I also made up my own hashtag. #yayamerica  I’m hoping to use it all day tomorrow.

I can’t wait for today to be over, and not look at a million videos of why this person sucks or that person is horrible.  I cannot wait to keep moving forward in this country, and to stop talking about this election with my friends.  Because it is inevitable, any time I’m with friends we end up talking about it in some way.  EXHAUSTING. OVER IT. I hope this cake makes you happier.  I hope if you’re stressed, you scrape off extra whiskey glaze for your piece.

So you don’t want to go all out with red pants? Throw on the rest of this outfit with some black skinnies and grab a red detail or two.  A more subtle, supportive way to go America with your style. 

And if things don’t go the way I want, be aware I’ll be making this face a lot:

Yikes.  We do not want that, do we? I’ll leave you with this quote from Hamilton, which I think can be applied to this years election.

“But when all is said and all is done. Jefferson has beliefs, Burr has none.”

 

Red Pants (similar) /  Polka Dotted Chambray (similar) / Grey Sweater (similar) / Blowfish Black Wedges (similar)

 

Election Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2/3 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• pinch of white sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup dried figs, stems cut off and cut in quarters
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup bourbon

For the Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 Tbsp bourbon (or sub out for milk)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

• Soak the raisins in warm water for 1 hour up to over night to plump them up, then drain and pat dry
• Grease and flour a standard bundt pan
• In the bowl of a stand up mixer, stir together yeast and warm water, and sprinkle with white sugar
• Allow to foam and bubble for 5-10 minutes
• In a medium bowl place dried raisins and quartered figs, set aside
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger, set aside
• With a paddle attachment, on low-medium speed add in softened butter, allow to combine
• Add one cup of dry ingredients into yeast mix and allow to combine
• Add in brown sugar, buttermilk, vanilla, and then eggs, allowing each to combine before adding the next
• Scoop out one tbsp of flour mix and sprinkle over figs and raisins, tossing gently to make sure they are all covered
• Carefully add in rest of flour mix to wet ingredients, about 1/2 cup at time, scrape down the sides of bowl as necessary
• Turn off mixer, fold in walnuts gently with a spatula, then add in figs and raisins, also folding in carefully, don’t over mix
• Once fruits and nuts are evenly distributed, pour batter into bundt pan and cover with a tea towel, allowing to rise for about one to one and a half hours
• Preheat oven to 350
• Bake cake for 45-55 minutes, a cake tester should come out of the center closest to the center hole clean
• Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, then carefully flip cake onto wire rack to finish cooling
• Take bourbon and pour over cake slowly, allowing it to soak into the cake
• Mix together glaze ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the top of cake, allowing it to drizzle down the sides
• Slice and enjoy!

P.S.

*Covering the figs and raisins in flour help them not sink to the bottom of the pan. Figs can also be subbed out for dried plums or cherries!

Adapted from Christina’s Cucina