Thunder Cake

Addison's class read the book "Thunder Cake" by Patricia Polacco. I had never read this, but I love some of her other stories (The Keeping Quilt, Betty Doll). The story is about a young girl who is afraid when a thunder storm rolls in, but her "Grandma insists that this is Thunder Cake baking weather and the two are soon scrambling to gather the ingredients to make the cake--and get it into the oven before the storm arrives".

There is a recipe for Thunder Cake in the book which calls for pureed tomatoes! We had to try it. Addison and I baked it last night and took it into his class today. The kids loved it, and no one complained about eating a tomato!
http://www.recipezaar.com/171669
(This recipe has a link to a chocolate buttercream frosting that we also made that was delicious!!)

I remember being so afraid of thunder and lightning when I was little. When a thunder storm would start, I would always head for the "down-downstairs" - an office below the lower level of our home. I couldn't hear any thunder or see any lightning down there. I remember midnight thunder storms that woke me in a panic and sent me running to my mom's bed. I remember being a 13-year-old cheerleader, hearing thunder boom, and running off the field to my mom. Somehow all of the reassurance she gave me must have conditioned me to feel happy and safe during a storm, because now I can think of few things that make me feel the way watching a storm does.

Addison, the chef.
This recipe called for shortening, which we don't usually have around. Addison wanted to taste it because, really, it does look like white frosting. I almost let him, (remember dad and the AlkaSeltzer/Sprite trick?... I do) but decided against it.
He was a little skeptical when the tomato puree was added to the mixture!
It turned out great! It was a little dry, but I attribute that to my poor baking skills and over cooking. I'll try it again, because it really did taste delicious!

His class loved it! I love the little girl sitting next to him. She is such a doll.