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.
Tracy Haughton says
I am new to gluten-free life. Your blog is full of the spirit of abundance–not deprivation–that has helped me make the profound shift in my life necessitated by my gluten intolerance.
I enjoyed your post about kale (my 11 year old daughter is also a kale fan– I saute steamed kale with pancetta and garlic then add a splash of rice vinegar–yum!) And I am especially interested in your recipes using coconut flour. There is a recipe in the Field of Greens cookbook for Ginger-Lemon muffins that I would love to adapt to be gluten free and I wonder if coconut flour would work? I would love to see your thoughts on adapting existing recipes with the various GF flours.
As for the comment about political views–I say it is your blog and you should express whatever you like here. That said, I haven’t noticed you using this blog as a forum for politics. But if someone doesn’t like what you are writing in your blog, there are thousands of other blogs to chose from!
CoconutGal says
Hmm… this is called “Elana’s Pantry” isn’t it?
Therefore, Elana, you are free to say whatever you please because this is your blog! If someone does not like it, they don’t have to read it!
I do not recall a time you’ve done a post on your political views anyway? Oh well, I enjoy what you write and love hearing others opinions. Wouldn’t the world be a dreadfully boring place if we all agreed on everything all the time?… Yes, it would!
Thanks for all your recipes!
dee says
What is she talking about Political!! I went back and read the past year of you blog. Probably skimmed more than read. Though I never saw mention of Sarah Palin or the election. The only political type comments if they are even political was last spring and you talked about shopping green friendly, the post for your friend about eco friendly cleaners, your CSA vegetable share. You also mentioned your op ed column for the daily camera write an op-ed column for The Daily Camera, covering political, economic and environmental issues.
In January you mentioned the new administration education and gardening in the same topic.
Otherwise where is the politics. Is talking about your faith politics. You talk about food in conjunction with your faith and observing your holidays, shabbat, the high holidays, purim, and recently passover. Though you also talk about cooking for Thanksgiving, Valentines and even Christmas. I find the holiday recipes and stories refreshing, especically since I also observe those holidays. You are always good about explaining and educating your other readers about the meaning of these holidays. So I hope this reader is not referring to your discussion of your religion and calling it politics.
Keep writing and educating – education on all topics including eatting gluten free and those with dietary restrictions increases understanding of each other and prevents ignorance of all kinds.
Stephanie Worth says
Hi there! I am a 34 year old wife, mom, friend, lover of Jesus, and enjoyer of all things created. This is the very first comment I have ever posted on any blog/site EVER! I am usually quiet and reserved with my opinion, however, I must say that I LOVE this site! I check it every few days, try out recipes, read the articles and am challenged and interested in ‘chewing’ on the ‘ingredients’ for myself! Politics are opinions. We all have them. But if we are really living and growing we are not insulted but stirred on by others and our differences. It is life to grow and change and be challenged. I believe that we are designed to learn from each other in communities and families that are diverse.
Stephanie says
I would also say that I don’t think you make this blog political. If that became the point more than wonderful recipes I would probably stop reading it, but that should not be a huge deal to you, your blog you should say what you like. I do like Sarah Palin, I am a conservative, and a Christian, but I love your passover recipes and your delicious food year round :D
Chay says
I have SOOO enjoyed finding your blog and learning about almond flour and all your other wonderful alternatives to healthy eating. You have a terrific voice as a writer, cook and mother. As for your political views, YOU GO GIRL!!! It sounds to me like whoever wrote that has bigger issues than you and your opinions. Wish them luck…
Keep it coming
XChay
Margaret says
Politics and religon used to be topics never mentioned. Accepting the subject makes us well rounded persons. Our diets are more important than ever. I have become a semi-kosher. No more pork or shellfish, etc. Thanks for everything. – Margaret
chrissy says
I dont know…I sort of view it the same as with actors and other famous people giving their political opinions – just because I dont agree, am I going to boycott their movies or books? Probably not unless they come out as Nazi’s or as someone else said KKK! LOL As a reader and avid recipe taste tester on Elana’s site… I figure, if I am entitled to believe what I believe, so is she! I dont want anyone telling me my beliefs are wrong unless they are willing to defend theirs… so I assume if someone is willing to share their beliefs, they are willing to defend them as well. I also presume it is mainly adults reading a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free blog… but perhaps I was wrong! Seriously… most of the time when I read something I dont agree with, I just do the eyebrow-raise and scroll down.
That’s the beauty of America. We are free to read or not read, listen or not listen, speak or not speak.
Just skip it if you dont agree… then go bake brownies.
And this torte looks like my new Saturday project. Who needs to waste time writing a term paper when you could be baking a chocolate walnut torte?
Sarah says
The torte looks delicious!
I am far from a bleeding heart liberal, as a matter of fact, my parents went to the same church as Sarah Palin for a while and I’m from Alaska, so I have a little soft spot for her, :) (just a little one! :) but frankly I’ve never even noticed your political views on this blog. Maybe I’ve been rushing through from the gorgeous pictures to the recipe below to pay attention. And, being from the ultra-liberal parts of California lately, maybe I’ve just become more accustomed to taking anyone’s political views with a grain of salt.
This is your blog, and it’s primarily about food. I read it for the recipes, not the politics, and I thank you for them! Keep writing!
Best,
Sarah
Faux Pas says
Love the recipes and I love Sarah Palin. Say what what you want, and so will I! Differences make the world go round. I probably will think long and hard before buying your book though, if it is at all political. I prize the recipes, but not the propaganda, since I get enough of that from the mainstream media and alphabet networks. Your recipes are terrific, and it’s lovely of you to share them with everyone. To dredge up a phrase popular in some circles during the Bush years, dissent is patriotic, and totally expected. We are not all the same, and what a boring world if we were!