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!
OMG! That is one of my favorite episodes!!! Love it!
Your gingerbread looks awesome!!! You are a true Ginger Kid!!! :)
Posted by: Sabrina | January 27, 2009 at 09:51 AM
I love the South park reference! Too funny!! I want to try the cookies!
Posted by: Maria | January 27, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Im glad you liked the gingerbread. Thanks for the non fat gingerbread cookie recipe, Im going to try it!
Posted by: Michelle | January 27, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Ooh, looks great! So moist!
Posted by: Jodie | January 27, 2009 at 11:10 AM
This was a great recipe.
Posted by: chocolatechic | January 27, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I love the way you always have some cute new word in your blog. Ginger-itis? Your gingerbread looks very moist and good!!
Posted by: peggy | January 27, 2009 at 11:35 AM
OMG - South Park - I can't even pick a favourite there are simply too many...brilliant to link it in with baking though - just brilliant!
Posted by: jen | January 27, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I'm glad you liked it. It was really, really good.
(I loved that episode--but my favorite is the Awesome-O one. :P)
Posted by: pinkstripes | January 27, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I'm glad this one helped you overcome your dislike of ginger. =) It looks great.
Posted by: Di | January 27, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Too funny! I am glad you liked the bread/cake too. I really want to try your cookies from the previous post!
Posted by: Leanne | January 27, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Hey Ginger Lady! HA! Love the SP reference. You have the funniest titles.
The gingerbread looks awesome. Hook it up.
Posted by: Sugar B | January 27, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Those cookies look delish! I can't wait to try them. Great job on the gingerbread and congratulations on a newfound ginger habit.
Posted by: Jessica | January 27, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Cute post, Teanna. Thanks for the link to the cookies. They sound pretty darned good. I loved this cake and I wasn't so sure I would. I'm glad I made it, that's for sure. Looks fabulous here!
Posted by: pamela | January 27, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Very funny post. Dorie converted me with this and with the carrot cake, which I always avoided in the past because carrots are NOT dessert. You should go back for that one.
Posted by: Kelly D | January 27, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Your gingerbread looks so moist and tasty! I think baking it as a loaf was a great idea.
If you make this again, you should try the ginger infused whipped cream, the recipe is next to the cake recipe, and it's sooooo good.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2009 at 04:09 PM
I never thought that I'd see someone tie South Park in with a Dorie recipe! That's great that you like ginger now - be sure to give the sushi ginger a try next time!
Posted by: Jill | January 27, 2009 at 05:19 PM
lol, that is a great episode! :) your gingerbread looks delish... and thanks for the nonfat cookie recommendation, i need some healthier stuff!! :)
Posted by: kim | January 27, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Okay, these photos are really wonderful...maybe I was too quick to judge that recipe. You sure you don't like ginger? But you like this? Okay, might have to rethink this. Great post.
Posted by: Kayte | January 27, 2009 at 06:30 PM
I'm glad you have a newfound love for ginger! I think it would actually be really good as a loaf, great idea!
Posted by: Melissa | January 27, 2009 at 06:54 PM
love your post:) ahhh, i always secretly wished i was a ginger head/carrot top after watching and reading *anne of green gables.*
and THANK YOU for the cookie link--just what i need to satisfy my sweet tooth this winter:)
Posted by: dharmagirl | January 27, 2009 at 07:21 PM