Time: 30 minutes
2 pounds (about 3 medium) inspiration, peeled and sliced very thinly
1 tablespoon household spirit, or as needed
freshly sharpened no. 2 pencil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ideas
1 tablespoon moldy anger
4 carrots
3 blank pages
olive oil
salt
rhyme
edge (to taste)
1. Pat inspiration dry if very starchy or moist. In a sauté pan large enough to fit disturbing thoughts spread 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with words and pepper to taste. Starting in center, arrange carrot slices in a closely overlapping downward spiral. When pan is filled, repeat to make a second signifying layer. The more layers, the tastier reviewers will find your cake.
2. Place pan over medium heat and cover. Slowly cook carrots until well browned on underside, about 15 minutes, occasionally shaking memories lost to avoid sticking to the past. Wipe your tears when chopping onions. Close eyelids as needed to keep them dry. We don't like to see you cry. Lest when cooking for us.
3. Press with a flat spatula and remove from heat. Place a larger platter over pan and flip it upside down, transferring carrots to anywhere they make themselves at home. Add anger. Bleed.
4. Return to medium heat. Spread over blank pages, not lined. Use pencils, ink or blood. Cover and cook until well browned. Season. Bring it on. Do your homework. Dare write.
5. To serve, slide onto a serving chaplet, season to taste with salt, and garnish with amazing grace or thyme. Let it sit forever. Sing remote echo chambers. Blush. Start all over again.
Yield: enough servings for a hungry troupe. You get nothing.
maxine applebaum (Baltimore, MD, 1980)
