Buttermilk Cocoa Cake

This craggy chocolate cake is today's comfort. Turns out that going back to the 9-5 work force has been a lot harder than I thought.

The last time I did it was two years ago, and I kept all my writing gigs going all the while. I figured that it would be just as easy this time.

The difference, of course, is that last time, I was only responsible for two short columns a month. Now I've got two feature articles due in the next month, six chef interviews to arrange, a group blog to write for, and a ton of other stuff besides.

What has become evident over the last few weeks, through neverending bouts of insomnia and anxiety, of tummyaches and crying jags, is that I have bitten off more than I can chew. More than a hippopotamus could chew. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do. I have to keep my day job; Mr. Food Musings deserves a chance to heal before he goes back to work, despite what the evil disability insurance company chooses to think. I can't bear to cut back on my writing jobs; they are the one thin thread keeping me tethered to my to my "old" life, to my dreams. But are they worth my sanity and my health? Today I guess they are. Tomorrow, we'll have to see.

In the meantime, we have dear friends coming for dinner, and who doesn't like chocolate cake? I have posted this recipe here before, but it was 2 1/2 years ago when even my mom didn't read my blog, so I figured I'd give it another go. Its beauty is that it takes 20 minutes to whip up, uses only 1 bowl, and goes equally well with vanilla ice cream and fresh mint, or caramel sauce, or a lazy shake of powdered sugar.

Karen Edward's Version of Buttermilk Cocoa Cake
Adapted from More Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin
Serves 12

1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
1/2 cup Fran's dark chocolate sauce
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350º and set rack in middle position. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.Mix together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add buttermilk, oil or butter, chocolate sauce and vanilla to dry ingredients. Stir till mixed.Turn batter into cake pan and bake 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before turning out of pan.

Comments

[The TriniGourmet]

you just made my tummy grumble, am gonna give it a try :)

[Robyn]

One day at a time, Catherine. You've built a great stable of clips, this may force you to focus on the really important stuff. Which might not be all bad. (Trying to see the glass as half full, here.)

[mom]

The cake looks delish! Breathe!

[Cynthia]

Girl, I know what you mean but as Robyn says, one day at a time. Some days you will get a lot accomplish and there are others when you will experience some of the things you mentioned. I'm rooting for you.

[Sean]

With ya. I had to cut back on my freelance work when I took the contract gig I'm on currently, but it took me months to come to that conclusion. Now, however, I'm casually adding stuff back in, on a discretionary basis, only as much as my bandwidth will allow. It's a little saner this way. Good luck finding your balance.

[Catherine]

TriniGourmet -- it's wonderful. Everyone had 2 pieces last night (!) and then I sent the rest home with my friends. The proof is in the pudding.

Robyn, mom, Cynthia, & Sean -- all good advice. I know I'll manage things, one way or another, but until I figure out what I'm doing I'm a mess! Argh! (taking deep breaths...)

[Stephanie]

And I can report the cake was a delicious end to an amazing meal and the rest of it was a delicious breakfast today and a reason to get out of bed on such a cold, cloudy July Saturday.

I could make a comment that controlling ourselves from FINISHING the chocolate cake is like balancing your work load -- all things in moderation -- but pretty much everyone has said that.

You know what's important, sweets, and you know what to concentrate on. That's the most important realization. I know the fear is that you could let everything slip away into nothing, but that's not going to happen.

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

I greatly admire the tough choices you're making. Hang in there...

[Tiffany]

I'm proud of you and the hard work you're pursuing. I wish you pockets of time, lots of sanity, and more of this fabulous looking cake!

[Catherine]

Stephanie -- yay for cake! Luckily I had an enormously productive weekend and that helped.

Jennifer -- thank you. I am feeling better this week, luckily.

Tiffany -- amen!