The ebb and the flood clearing all the channels of your heart

[sovay]

I am often awake at three in the morning, but I am awake at three in the morning tonight because of a pumpkin pie that needed fifteen minutes past its baking time and then another fifteen minutes after that. I kept checking and it kept cooking. It was like Cucurbita scheherazade. It is now cooling on the kitchen counter underneath the lights in the shape and colors of Orion and will be served tomorrow, along with the two apple pies I baked earlier tonight. In past years I have specialized in complicated side dishes, but this year it's just going to be a butternut squash gratin and whatever I figure out to do with the sweet potatoes when I get up—I am thinking there's no reason coconut milk and chipotles can't go together, although I suspect I cannot quite treat them like a curry. I cannot tell if maple syrup would be an inspiration or a disaster. I may just try it and see.

There are things I am thankful for this year. I think I talk about them a lot. I think that's important.

Comments

[selidor]

I kept checking and it kept cooking. It was like Cucurbita scheherazade.
Grief, my baking-for-birthday cake did that last night. (Pearl barley and blackberries. Would make again. Often.) Sleep becomes weirdly optional.

Methinks sweet potato and pomegranate molasses.

[sovay]

Grief, my baking-for-birthday cake did that last night.

Phases of the moon. Or solidarity. Baked goods are contrary enough to be sentient.

(Pearl barley and blackberries. Would make again. Often.)

Dude. Would you mind describing how you make a cake out of pearl barley? That sounds fantastic.

Methinks sweet potato and pomegranate molasses.

I will try that next time I have sweet potatoes! I even have some in the house.

[selidor]

Pearl barley cake. Though when it says the pearl barley needs to cool before using, it is quite serious: the stuff finishes cooking in the cooling. (Fail mode: crunchy-chewy, ow.)

Glad to hear it was a good Thanksgiving. Hearing of happiness is heartwarming.

[sovay]

Pearl barley cake.

That looks great! I am deeply indebted to the Guardian's recipes columns. They always offer more than I can make.

Glad to hear it was a good Thanksgiving. Hearing of happiness is heartwarming.

Thank you. I am glad.