Food is politics. More than ever. So, imagine my surprise when I found this comment the other day, right here on my little ol’ blog saying:
“I love your recipe blog, but really don’t agree with your political views or comments. Try to stay more focused on the food instead of politics. You may keep more friends that way.”
I’d never thought of being less than genuine and hiding my views as way to gain friends. Call me naive, that’s one strategy I haven’t tried. In terms of what I write on this site, I share my personal (which are of course political) philosophies and also enjoy hearing other people’s views, whether they agree with me or not.
So everyone, I want to thank you for your comments and all of the diverse perspectives. I appreciate hearing your views, even if we don’t always exactly see eye to eye.
In terms of my opinions, I hope you all enjoy what I write and totally understand if you don’t. Of course, if you are a big fan of Sara Palin then this site might not be the most comfortable place for you to hang out, given that I am pretty much a bleeding heart liberal. And then some. That’s not something I ever have or ever will try to hide.
Here’s yet another delicious gluten-free kosher for Passover recipe; it is based on a recipe I found on epicurean.com. My husband was very enthusiastic about this dessert, eating the crumbs off of the serving plate. Just a word of caution, this moist tart can be a bit crumbly this is normal and does not mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Chocolate Walnut Torte
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs, separated
- ½ cup agave nectar or honey
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 cups walnuts
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the chocolate until it becomes a coarse mixture, the consistency of gravel
- Pulse in the walnuts, briefly, until they are coarsely chopped -bigger chunks than the chocolate
- In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until pale in color, then gradually beat in the agave
- In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then beat in the salt
- Fold the chocolate-walnut mixture into the egg yolk mixture
- Then fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture
- Place in a well greased 9 inch springform pan
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave in for 10 more minutes, until firm to the touch and golden around the edges
- Cool in the pan, then serve
This gluten-free flourless torte is another less expensive way to make higher-protein, lower glycemic desserts, without the expense of almond flour. Not that I don’t love almond flour, it’s still my favorite ingredient!
I’m not sure if this torte would work with yacon, though it might be a worthy experiment. It might also be worthwhile to experiment with other nuts, if walnuts aren’t your thing.
GloriE says
HI Elana,
So many of your desserts have a tablespoon of vanilla….will tossing in a bit of vanilla change the torte? PS – Griffen found the matzoh yesterday and was very happy – even though he couldn’t eat it!!! Have a great holiday!
Deb Schiff says
Gorgeous tart. Wish I had the recipe before Passover started so I could bring it to my father’s for dessert (yeah right, like I have the time to bake this week!).
About the blog. I like your attitude about people and their opinions. It’s your blog. Do with it what you will.
A year ago, I was going through an ugly (at best) medical procedure and decided to write about it on my Here and There blog. Some people in my life outside the blogosphere were embarrassed that I would write about something so personal. I didn’t care what they thought because I felt that if I didn’t share my experience, someone might be missing out on the help and the hope.
I was right. My postings on stereotactic breast biopsies are now being used by nurses to prepare their patients for what they will expect during their procedures. I even have women who come back and post their results.
So, all that to say, more power to you. It’s YOUR blog, and YOU is 3/4 of YOUR. So there. :)
julie says
I can’t believe that comment!! Many of our mothers raised us with the saying “if you do not have anything nice to say – don’t say it”.
I’ve been following your blog since the beginning of the year. I read food blogs because they are not just about recipes. If I want a recipe I’ll go to a cookbook or magazine or the net.
What I like about your blog is it is personal, about your family, food, life, faith, etc. Please keep being you.
PS: I’m not gluten free, I just like what you write
Alchemille says
Looks delicious…I’m really tempted ;).
I like the fact that the main ingredients are coarsely chopped, I bet it make the texture more interesting.
As a blog owner, I usually keep my political and spiritual beliefs to myself (I guess it’s part of the French culture/upbringing) unless something really irritates me, then I can’t keep my mouth shut and have to let it all out!
I also get not-so-nice comments once in a while…And have the great pleasure to delete them ;).
Linda Lee says
How I laughed at the comment by Sarah that she held on to her Faith and GUNS!!! I am so sad that George Carlin died before the Ms. Palin era came into hilarious view. The laughable stand that people take as Christians in defense of the right to bear arms is always one of my favorite jokes! Apparently Jesus was sort of kidding when he said,”Live by the sword, die by the sword.” If only we had a good pistol when he was being crucified I am sure we could have stormed the cross and killed a few heathens and all this Easter stuff and all those Hail Marys and all those other jumbles of confusion that justify denying people who see things a little differently the right to be happy could have all been done away with. AND TO THINK ALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN WAS A FEW GUNS!!!! Poor Jesus, I feel so sorry for him. All those peaceful words and all that kindness and he ended up with a bunch of people following him with guns and self-righteous incoherence.
Wait, what do guns and Faith have to do with food? If you are upset with Elana’s politics how does bringing your own to the comments help? Isn’t that a little hypocritical? Oh I forgot, hypocrisy is the other great talent (besides good marksmanship) practiced by the Faithful in America.
Elana, I love your recipes and your politics. I am bright enough to understand how profoundly they are connected. Oh and by the way …. WE WON!!!!!
Jennifer says
Yummers! Will have to give this a try, thanks.
I love bleeding heart liberals! Your political commentary is part of what keeps me coming back to your wonderful blog, as well as the great recipes. It’s refreshing to me to see people being authentic about their views and unafraid of how it will affect the bottom line in their business.
Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen says
I get some pretty random comments on my blog as well. Isn’t the point of blogs to share whatever you choose to share freely?
I wanted to share with you my adaptation of your velvet torte. I made it a little crust to sit in:
http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2009/04/09/sweet-beet-chocolate-tart/
Sarah W. says
This is your territory, say what you please. No need to pander to people. Do people forget about our right of free speech? I am not a liberal, but very conservative. Quite frankly, I don’t care what your politics are, I come here for the recipes! Thanks for such great stuff.
katiebear says
Rick Nelson told me, “You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.
You just keep on trucking, Elana.
Oops. Had a fall and bumped my head. Think I’m having a sixtie’s flashback. Reminds me there’s a reason the sixties and seventies were so wild. A rebellion against the rigidity of the forties and fifties.
I live in the sub-tropics. Maybe I should protest your mentions of snow. Oh, good, something more for me to complain about. I was afraid I was going to run out!
katiebear
P.S. I also love your recipes.
Laura says
Elena – thanks so much for your website, and your offer of hope to those on gluten free or grain free or sugar free or all the above diets. I’ve passed your site on to several frustrated gluten-free friends. Your sesame cookies were a hit with me for Passover, and I’m hoping your Roasted Chicken with Olives and Prunes will be a hit for Easter.
I admire your honesty, which after all follows one of the ten commandments. I also appreciate your desire to be a good steward of this planet.
Best of luck on your book,
Laura