The Power of No Flour
Apr 8th, 2009 by Marilyn
This was me, a few days ago.
Actually, not me. More like that was an Apricot Chocolate Torte a few days ago. And before it had been finished, it looked like this…
…and before that, it was a pile of cocoa and shimmering, downy-soft flour.
Today marks the first night of Passover. I have been in the kitchen most of the day, preparing desserts for the seder at my in-laws’ home tonight. This is a family ritual, a traditional – albeit grumbling and hungry – telling of the Passover story, followed by the eating of the so-called festive meal. I make the desserts. And to honor the fact that the Jewish slaves ran like hell out of Egypt before the bread could rise, the desserts have no flour.
And because the desserts have no flour, I go crazy.
I can make flourless things, you know – nice chocolate souffles, chocolate-dipped fruit, coconut meringues – and I make them all for Passover; but with the sudden absence of flour from my arsenal, I spend untold hours wringing my hands and wailing, “oh wheat, you have forsaken me! Where is my baking powder, my grain? Return to me, Apricot Chocolate Tortes of yore.”
I flip the cards of my mental cake-dex and want to mix every one. I want to sift through the air and slice layers to the sky, but I don’t. I honor my ancestors and their grain-free flight from Egypt with meringues, and strawberries, and pretend-banana cake laced with grainy matzo meal.
But here, like a golden calf, we can ogle beautiful chocolate cake. Of course I say this with no disrespect; some of my fondest memories involve being nine years old and seder-table tipsy – after my cousins loaded me with Shnapps, under the table. It’s simply that the no-flour rule waves a flag – a “you can’t have it” flag, and then you want it. Oh fine crumb, stop your wandering – and make a hasty return to your people’s plate!
Happy Passover, Happy Easter, a joyous Spring and a very fine day to you all, whatever you may be celebrating. I’m back and simmering shortly with something fresh.
Happy Passover to you! And it looks lovely!
Happy Spring! Happy Sunny Day! Have a fabulous week!
Happy Passover, Marilyn!
Happy Passover (and that is the most beautiful chocolate torte). Sublimation can be positive, yes?
I always love hearing about these traditional celebrations! For some reason, I only see the first picture of the beautiful chocolate cake though…
Marilyn… is that cake real?
Weird, Sandy. The first pic does not pull up for me, so that is the one i do not see.
Happy Passover. Traditions + Food = Promised Land.
Happy Passover, Marilyn! And in honor of the occasion, enjoy a rousing rendition of “They Tried to Kill Us, We Survived, Let’s Eat,” as performed by Good for the Jews. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102867824&sc=nl&cc=sod-20090408
What a beautiful torte! I agree with Rechelle, it almost doesn’t look real. Happy Passover!
dang that looks good…..
To everyone who says that that torte does not look real, I am here to tell you that it is real and was delicious, and gone too soon. But you’re right–it didn’t look real in real life either!
I confess, I’m jealous. Jealous that you were raised with such wonderful culture and traditions (I was raised by godless hippies), jealous of the amazing chairs in the background of the top photo, jealous that “Alice” gets to eat what you bake, and especially jealous that you could make something as unbelievably, spectacularly gorgeous as that torte.
I mean, wow.
I fondly remember a Northern Exposure episdoe where Joel invites folks over for this passover meal. Great episode. I love any episode with Adam in it. You should check it out.
I wasn’t a big fan of Schnapps until I drank some in Austria. Austrian Schnapps bore little resemblance to the low proof, syrupy stuff we get here in the states.
Anyway great post, and as always I enjoyed the writing.
Would you tell me — what were you doing with that knife? I’m guessing you were ‘evening out’ the top for frosting, right?
OMG- that looks so good. Now I’m embarrased to post my disasters that we called Passover cakes! Maybe next year you can just ship one of those babies to Philly and help a gal out
Happy Passover Mar!
okay now,I have been busy while you are preparing such wonderful delights!! This looks divine…and that cake stand…will it to me:]
have a blessed Passover.
Lovely cake! From that camera angle it looks like that knife is 2 feet long!!!
48 hours +/- more. you can make it!
Happy almost-over Passover, Mar!
(Who gave you the schnapps? )
That first cake looks unbelievably good. And chocolate/apricot is such a fabulous combination . . .