Molasses Cake

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Laurel Jackson in Australia for helping us to mind our
holiday P's and Q's.

Christmas Etiquette

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots,
leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt
scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't
find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has
10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it Have one for me. Have
two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.
Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your
mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk
or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports
car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control
your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat
other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet
table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted
Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near
them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the
center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave
them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each.
Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin.
Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one
dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have
some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or
get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread all
tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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This cake is reputed to have been a favorite of James Oglethorpe,
the first Governor of Georgia and founder of the city of Savannah.

Molasses Cake

1/2 cup (125 ml) sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup (125 ml) molasses
1/2 cup (125 ml) buttermilk
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (5 ml) ground ginger
1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda dissolved in
1 Tbs (15 ml) hot water
3 cups (750 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder

Cream the sugar and butter until fluffy and pale yellow. Add the egg,
molasses, buttermilk, cinnamon, ginger, and baking soda mixture,
stirring to combine. Sift the flour and baking powder and add to the
batter, stirring just enough to thoroughly combine. Pour into a greased
and floured 9-inch (23 cm) cake pan and bake in a preheated 350F
(180C) oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean,
about 30 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.
Received on Fri Dec 23 18:38:00 2005