When I saw that Heather of Sherry Trifle chose Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread, I immediately thought of one of the greatest episodes of South Park of all time.
For those of you not familiar with the show, it is a cartoon on Cartoon Network known for it's "off-color humor, pop culture parody and biting satire that covers a range of topics". It revolves around the life of four fourth graders named Stan (the protagonist), Kyle (also a protagonist who happens to have red hair), Cartman (antagonist) , and Kenny (whose language is stifled due to his tight hood on his parka, so the viewer can never understand what he is saying and is killed in every episode by a freak accident) in fictional South Park, Colorado.
In this episode, Cartman is giving a presentation to his classmates about a new epidemic - "Gingervitis". "Gingervitis" is suffered by "Ginger kids", aka redheads, who carry a recessive "ginger gene". These poor souls are hated and hidden by their parents and cannot walk in daylight due to their pale skin. The ones who can walk in the sun (are identified as redheads without light skin or freckles") are called "daywalkers" and must also be avoided at all costs.
Now, I know you are wondering, "What does this have to do with gingerbread?" So am I, my friends. So am I.
But I, like Cartman, also had my prejudices towards "gingers" of another kind. Real ginger.
I was never a fan of ginger. I didn't like gingerbread. I didn't like ginger cookies. I hate the ginger that comes with sushi.
In the episode, to give Cartman a taste of his own medicine, Stan and Kyle break in to Cartman's house in the middle of the night and dye his hair red and tattoo him with Henna freckles. Because of this, Cartman is experiencing the hatred that he spewed only days earlier. His mother all but disowns him and his doctor hurls insults at him. He starts the "Ginger Separatist Movement" in order to obtain equal rights for all redheads.
I have joined this movement. Dorie has, in a way, tattoed me with Henna freckles and changed my outlook. This gingerbread is absolutely amazing. Soft, moist and packed with spices, the gingerbread only gets better with time. It is made with bits of chocolate and topped with a chocolate coffee ganache, which at first I must admit I wasn't a fan of, but has completely grown on me and complements the ginger very well (I also think a white chocolate topping would be great on this, as well). I, of course, don't read directions and accidentally made this a loaf, but it all tastes the same going in!
Please check out Heather's blog for the recipe. You'll be glad you did.
Because of my newfound way of eating (and my newfound love of ginger), however, I also made Dave Leibovitz's Nonfat Gingersnap cookies. Please, please make these. You won't even know they are nonfat (and only 95 calories!). They are unbelievable. Click here (or scroll down one post) to see the recipe.
I have to make a disclaimer here. I hope I didn't offend any redheads reading this blog! I am only quoting the show. I myself, love redheads (my boyfriend was one as a child) and am jealous at their ability to wear hunter green and bright blue and all seem to have the most gorgeous, healthiest hair.
Check out TWD for more ginger goodness!
I am laughing so hard I can barely type...you are a trip!
Lovely job on the gingerbread!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Your cake looks great, and thank you so much for the link to the gingersnaps recipe. I love gingersnaps!
Posted by: Lillian | January 27, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Great post! I LOVE South Park and you did the Ginger-Vitis episode good! "Ginger Kids" HAHA! Almost peed my pants remembering the episode! Thanks for the laugh! I'm adding your link to my post!
Posted by: Donna | January 27, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Your gingerbread looks SOOO moist and dense and good!
Posted by: Katrina | January 27, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Great post! I'm glad you became a ginger convert. I absolutely crave ginger. Will try the cookies.
Posted by: Lynne | January 28, 2009 at 05:32 AM
I like the way this looks as a loaf. And how cool that you are now a ginger convert. I usually love gingerbread but I didn't care for this. Go figure. The cookies look good too.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy (n.o.e.) | January 28, 2009 at 08:19 AM
I'm a red head and I'm not offended! I love that episode. So glad you liked this one!
Posted by: Spike | January 28, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Love your humor! Great Post!! I accidentally left out that last 1 1/2oz of healthy, Paula Deen, butta. Guess if you can???Yep, that silly dried out gingerbread has actually become moist and I baked it Sunday night. Who knew??? Time heals all wounds ar ar.. Anyway, just thought that was weird Had some last night as a last ditch try with some Zen Tea-Delish!
AmyRuth
Posted by: AmyRuth | January 28, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Mmm, yours looks so good. And I love the South Park reference.
Posted by: Kaitlin | January 28, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Wasn't this gingerbread perfect? Yours looks great, I like the idea of a loaf. :)
Posted by: LyB | January 28, 2009 at 08:34 PM
gosh your gingerbread looks so moist...i can almost taste it melting in my mouth. and i'm actually thinking that a loaf sounds really good--i like the idea of getting this in a slice rather than a square. great job!!
Posted by: HappyTummy | January 29, 2009 at 10:48 PM
A lovely moist crumb gingerbread cake!
Posted by: Heather Peskin | January 30, 2009 at 06:14 AM
TOOOOOO Funny!!!! Ginger-vitis. HeeHee. Gingerbread looks really moist and delicious.
Posted by: Margaret | January 30, 2009 at 04:16 PM
I love the way you always have some cute new word in your blog.
Posted by: Cheap MLB Jerseys | September 07, 2010 at 05:41 AM
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you
Posted by: top ab workouts | November 21, 2013 at 09:35 AM