Halloween Treats

 This  week begins with Halloween and will end with the grand Tucson tradition, The All Souls Procession  on Sunday night. This parade of ghouls is based on the Mexican tradition know as The Day of the Dead and opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, whether it be a parent, a child, a friend, a recognized personality or even a pet. There will be drummers, bagpipers, folks on wildly decorated bike contraptions, stilt walkers and families with strollers in this miles long walk that snakes around downtown and ends with a bonfire and a concert. It is a wonderful, colorful expression of our diverse community and is not to be missed.
 In keeping with the Day of the Dead week, I decided to feature a couple of Mexican items this week... first is my much sought after Mexican Chocolate Cake Recipe.It is quick, easy and healthy with no eggs, no oil and lots of chocolate.  I took one to the neighborhood picnic yesterday and it was a big hit. I was so busy meeting and greeting that I didn't get to eat a piece, I guess I'll have to make another.

Mexican Chocolate Cake
1 1//2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup good baking cocoa
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder, I use New Mexico dark chili powder, but use whatever you like
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Gently stir dry ingredients together.
Make a two small wells in the flour mixture
In one, pour
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
in the other pour
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
Before you stir these in, pour over the whole flour, vinegar, vanilla mixture:
1 cup cold, strong black coffee (you may use cold water if you don't like coffee)
Stir it all together, and pour into an oiled 8 or 9" round cake pan.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, cake is done when it springs back when you touch it.
Frosting:
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup powdered sugar
2-4 Tablespoons cold black coffee or water, add sparingly until it reaches desired spreading consistency.
Mix together and spread on cooled cake.

That's it! Have a happy and safe Halloween.