#cookingforjoy

Lady Gaga, you got me at “.....our flag was still there.” And down came the tears.

What stood out was the dignity of those present and the relief, that our country is moving on from such a terrible phase. The poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, whom I had never heard read before, was a symbol of rising up and moving on, of power and of youth.

Celebrations mean cake! Also, Inauguration Day calls for a special dinner. Special to me is “Spag Bol”, as the Brits call it. Spaghetti Bolognese may be one of my favorite pasta meals. If I see it on a menu at a restaurant, I have to order it. Years ago, I scribbled out my British friend Sarah’s recipe, and today I dug it up and it’s now simmering on the stove. Smells divine. 

Amazon Chocolate Cake just came out of the oven. Later on tonight, we’ll have that with our champagne. Anger, divisiveness, meanness - good riddance. You are not welcome at this table. President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, I’m happy for the normalcy and the respect you will bring to your offices, and for the tone that you’ve already set to help bring us back from the brink and back on to steady ground.

Good food, starting with chopped chicken liver, an old family favorite. (Butter, onions, liver, s&p, red wine sauteed then pureed.) Spread on a warm bagel for lunch, with a cup of hot tea.

Spag Bol:

Amazon Chocolate Cake, from Cafe Beaujolais Cookbook:

Let’s celebrate a new chapter.