Election Day Fun

Not a single moment too early, this seemingly interminable election season is finally coming to an end. I'm a very political person; I remember political statistics the way some people remember baseball stats. But even I'm worn flat out by this election and am glad to finally see a break from all the strife and vitriol.

Nothing says we can't have fun while we're waiting, though.

So here's some election day fun to pass the time:

Break out your red and blue crayons and fire up your printer! Color in each state as the votes come rolling in: DIY Electoral College Map(^)

Then pop on over to the Huffington Post for their election ad roundup: Top 60 Memorable Campaign Ads Of 2008(^) at HuffPo

First of all, a lot of these are really depressing. The only thing to celebrate is not having to see them any more ever again after Tuesday. They aren't funny (for the most part), with a few notable exceptions. My personal favorite:



If, as expected, the lines at the polling places are long, it'll be nice to have something to do. Here's a guy doing some amazing hand shadows:


If you start now, you can probably master a few by the time it's your turn to pull the lever.

Need something to dance to in line? My current song of choice is Weezer's Pork and Beans. It's a song about being an individual and doing the things that make you happy.
Embedding is disabled , so here's the tab poppin' link(^)

Rock on, voters!

Hungry? Before you leave for the polling place, pop Barack Obama's chili recipe (ran on Good Morning America) in the crock pot. It's gluten free, if it matters to you (it does to me).

Obama Family Chili Recipe

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Several cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground basil
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
1 can red kidney beans

Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft.
Add ground meat and brown.
Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat.
Add red wine vinegar.
Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down.
Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes.

Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.

~~~

I'd post a John McCain recipe, but honestly can't find one. The only recipes I can find were plagiarized from the Food Network by a McCain campaign worker(^).
Srsly.

This article at the Chicago Tribune(^) says McCain's favorite foods are shrimp, and pizza topped with pepperoni and onions, both of which are yummy choices.

So, in the name of fairness, here's:

Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp (my own recipe)

I'm sure John McCain would like it. I'd totally cook it for him if he showed up for dinner.

1 pound of raw shrimp, caught or farmed in the United States. The antibiotics and junk in foreign shrimp are not worth the risk. Go USA!
1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
(if gluten isn't an issue, omit rice flour and corn starch and use 3/4 cup of "regular" flour instead)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup (or so) shredded unsweetened coconut. If sweetened is what you have, use it.

Oil for deep-frying (I use canola). My deep fryer uses a couple of cups; a frying pan would probably take a cup or so.

Remove shells from shrimp and de-vein if needed with a small sharp knife. Leave tails connected if you like.
Mixing the dry ingredients together (flours, baking powder, onion salt, and cayenne pepper (which yo can omit or reduce if you don't like spicy).
Mix the egg, milk, garlic and ginger together, whisk until the egg is broken up entirely.
Add the egg mixture to the flour mix, stir until mostly smooth.
Spread coconut on a plate.
Dip shrimp one by one in the batter, then dredge in the coconut. Set aside. When all of the shrimp are coated, set aside.
Heat the oil in a pan or deep fryer until it's at 375F on a deep-frying thermometer or use the setting on your deep fryer.
Add shrimp in small batches, fry 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. If cooking in a frying pan, turn half-way through.
Serves 3 as a main dish.

Serve with cocktail, tartar, or sweet and sour sauce. I add additional garlic and ginger to store bought sweet and sour sauce, or to orange marmalade if I have it.

Regardless of what you eat, color or listen to, please go and vote your little hearts out tomorrow!

Namaste