Hi there! It’s Election Day in America, so we’re bringing you a special episode today that’s all about baking with a political and emotional spin. If you haven’t voted yet, find your polling place here. If you’ve already voted, it’s always a good time to donate to organizations like the ACLU or Color of Change to protect our voting and civil rights.
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Episode 144: Becca Rea-Tucker
This week, Becca Rea-Tucker joins us to #TalkCookbooks.
Becca is the creator of the popular Instagram, @thesweetfeminist, where she became known for creating visually striking cakes and other baked goods with political and empowering messages. Check out a few:
After living in Washington, DC, and working at the beloved Baked & Wired bakery, Becca decided to merge the frustration and anger she was feeling living in the capital during the previous administration with something she was great at: writing on cakes.
The book deal came next, and Becca decided to focus on a new aspect of baking: the therapeutic benefits. Baking by Feel brings together 65 recipes with related emotions—if you’re feeling awkward, she suggests the Kitchen Sink Cookies; in optimistic moments, turn to her Cardamom Caramel Poke Cake. There are recipes in all five major mood groups, from happy to sad to angry (pounding out graham crackers for a crust, anyone?).
We’ve got a great episode today — Becca joins us to talk about baking as an act of resistance, of self-care, and of tapping into whatever you’re feeling today (or tomorrow).
This Week’s Recipes
Paid subscribers this week will get access to two of Becca’s recipes from Baking by Feel: the Black Pepper Snowballs (if you’re feeling vengeful) and the Chocolate Espresso Shortbread (if you’re feeling bitter). Yum!
Get all our bonus content—and our full archive of hundreds of exclusive recipes—by becoming a paid subscriber today:
This Week’s New Cookbook Releases
Here are a few of the new cookbooks on shelves this week:
What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People by Claire Saffitz
The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More by Maurizio Leo
Noma 2.0: Vegetable, Forest, Ocean by René Redzepi
The Big Texas Cookbook: Food That Defines the Lone Star State by Texas Monthly Editors
Cook As You Are: Recipes for Real Life, Hungry Cooks, and Messy Kitchens by Ruby Tandoh
Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Tomorrow's Food Culture by Emmanuel Laroche
Eat, Drink, and Be Murray: A Feast of Family Fun and Favorites by Andy Murray
Where the River Narrows: Classic French & Nostalgic Québécois Recipes from St. Lawrence Restaurant by J-C Poirier
Chinese-ish: Home Cooking Not Quite Authentic, 100% Delicious by Rosheen Kaul and Joanna Hu
Big Has HOME: Recipes from North London to North Cyprus by Hasan Semay
And we were off last week, so here’s last week’s new releases, too:
Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking: Traditional Family Recipes From Italy’s Best Home Cooks by Vicky Bennison
The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family by Bill, Kaitlin, Judy & Sarah Leung
(Serious) New Cook: Recipes, Tips, and Techniques by Leah Su Quiroga and Cammie Kim Lin
Chicano Bakes: Recipes for Mexican Pan Dulce, Tamales, and My Favorite Desserts by Esteban Castillo
Very Good Salads: Middle-Eastern Salads and Plates for Sharing by Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan
All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book by Christina Tosi
Baking Imperfect by Lottie Bedlow
Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes by Camille Wilson
Midcentury Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America's Atomic Age by Cecelia Tichi
The Best American Food Writing 2022 by Sohla El-Waylly
Vote—then bake your feelings with Becca Rea-Tucker