Sustenance from Streusel

A Homey Cornmeal-Nectarine Pound Cake

Overwhelmed and Over It

I found myself overwhelmed this week by the news, and the everything-ness of our current existence. I suppose any sentient human not living in a state of denial (a state where abortion is still legal everywhere) must feel the way I do at some point. When I find myself like this, I like to make a list of all the things that have negatively impacted my mental state. It’s not to wallow, but instead to acknowledge the crushing amount of information I take in every day.

The list for this week goes something like this: stark revelations from the 1/6 committee hearing; a 10-yr-old raped; evil, self-aggrandizing politicians and TV “news” networks deny the rape; rapist arrested; sharp increase in new, more contagious Covid variant; the Secret Service “lost” text messages; Texas thinks a woman’s ectopic pregnancy should burst before she can legally get healthcare; hottest week on record for the UK; Dr. Oz gives me the pip; Republicans don’t believe the election was stolen, but will vote for Trump anyway; Joe Manchin; The DoJ is on it/The DoJ isn’t on it/The DoJ might-be-on-it-but-that’s-for-them-to-know-and-you-to-find-out-nah-nah-nah, and did you know one square of chocolate from the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate with almonds bar that brings me joy has 70 calories and who has ever eaten one square?

And as you all know, that’s not even the half of it.

I did find the stunning photos from NASA absolutely enthralling, and for the first time ever considered inhabiting a new planet might be just the ticket for all of us. Well, some of us. I’m in charge of picking who, but feel free to let me know your suggestions below.

Previously unseen NASA photo from the James Webb telescope

Enough Already, Rothkopf, Show Us the Recipe

Of course, I do bake and think about recipes to distract myself, which explains why this week’s recipe is rather like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man of desserts: a homey cornmeal pound cake. Delicately flavored, this good-kind-of-dense cake has bursts of fresh nectarine throughout and is topped with a thick layer of streusel.

“…think of the most harmless thing!” (Ghostbusters, 1984)

Things to note:

• As with most pound cakes, the texture and flavor improves after 24 hours.

• If you want to make the flavor a little zazzier, add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom. Cardamom goes beautifully with nectarines and peaches.

• You might add chopped pecans or pistachios to the streusel.

• Toast individual slices, and serve them topped with vanilla ice cream and chopped nectarines that have macerated in a little sugar and a little more rum or Gran Marnier.

• The recipe makes two loaf cakes. You could give one to a friend. Or freeze one for emergencies.

  

Cornmeal-Nectarine Pound Cake

Makes 2 9.5 x 5” loaf cakes

What You’ll Need:

For the streusel:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup butter, cut into cubes

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste) (Alt: Use cardamom)

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon nutmeg and/or cardamom

1/2 teaspoon salt

approx 1 3/4 to 2 pounds of nectarines, peeled*, cubed and tossed with 2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup (6 ounces) butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

Zest of one lemon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup milk

What You”ll Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the loaf pans and “flour” the pan with cornmeal.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and cardamom (if using).

3. Make the streusel: In a bowl larger than you think you should use, use two table knives to cut together the flour, sugar, butter, salt and spice(s). When cutting the mixture together gets too tedious, use your hands. Pinch the butter and toss the butter in the flour mixture and continue blending until it looks like wet sand and there are no lumps of butter anywhere. You should be able to grab a handful of the streusel, let go and it should remain in its squeezed state. Set aside. If your mixture has gotten warm or melty, refrigerate until ready to use.

4. In a stand- or with a hand-mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the bowl occasionally.

5. Add the lemon zest, vanilla and one egg and mix until just blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl (Remember your ABCs: Always Be Scraping.).

6. Add the remaining eggs, one at a time, mixing each until incorporated.

7. Add one-third of the flour mixture and blend until just moistened. Add half of the milk and blend until absorbed. Repeat the process, ending with flour.

8. Fold in the nectarines.

9. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

10. Gather the streusel into chunks and hunks and top the top cakes Jersey-coffeecake style…which means add a lot of streusel. Maybe more than you think (esp if you’re not from Jersey and just don’t know). More streusel is good. Less streusel is bad. This is a fact. (You will have leftover streusel. Put it in the freezer or fridge in case of emergency need.)

11. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, depending on your oven, until a toothpick comes out with maybe a crumb or two. It shouldn’t be wet. If the top browns before the cake is fully cooked, lower the oven temperature to 325 F and tent each cake pan with a piece of foil.

12. Let cool on wire rack for ten minutes; remove from pan to cool further. Enjoy.

What do you do?

How do you cope when you feel overwhelmed by all the news? How do you clear your mind? What are your tips on dealing with the onslaught of news? Is there light at the end of the tunnel, or is that an oncoming train? Do you like toasted pound cake?

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