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Hi there! It’s Election Day in America, so we’re bringing you a special episode today that’s all about baking with a political and emotional spin. If you haven’t voted yet, find your polling place here. If you’ve already voted, it’s always a good time to donate to organizations like the ACLU or Color of Change to protect our voting and civil rights.

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Episode 144: Becca Rea-Tucker

This week, Becca Rea-Tucker joins us to #TalkCookbooks.

Becca is the creator of the popular Instagram, @thesweetfeminist, where she became known for creating visually striking cakes and other baked goods with political and empowering messages. Check out a few:

After living in Washington, DC, and working at the beloved Baked & Wired bakery, Becca decided to merge the frustration and anger she was feeling living in the capital during the previous administration with something she was great at: writing on cakes.

The book deal came next, and Becca decided to focus on a new aspect of baking: the therapeutic benefits. Baking by Feel brings together 65 recipes with related emotions—if you’re feeling awkward, she suggests the Kitchen Sink Cookies; in optimistic moments, turn to her Cardamom Caramel Poke Cake. There are recipes in all five major mood groups, from happy to sad to angry (pounding out graham crackers for a crust, anyone?).

We’ve got a great episode today — Becca joins us to talk about baking as an act of resistance, of self-care, and of tapping into whatever you’re feeling today (or tomorrow).

This Week’s Recipes

Paid subscribers this week will get access to two of Becca’s recipes from Baking by Feel: the Black Pepper Snowballs (if you’re feeling vengeful) and the Chocolate Espresso Shortbread (if you’re feeling bitter). Yum!

Get all our bonus content—and our full archive of hundreds of exclusive recipes—by becoming a paid subscriber today:

Listeners like you support Salt + Spine. To get full access to our exclusive content and featured recipes, and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This Week’s New Cookbook Releases

Here are a few of the new cookbooks on shelves this week:

* What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People by Claire Saffitz

* The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More by Maurizio Leo

* Noma 2.0: Vegetable, Forest, Ocean by René Redzepi

* The Big Texas Cookbook: Food That Defines the Lone Star State by Texas Monthly Editors

* Cook As You Are: Recipes for Real Life, Hungry Cooks, and Messy Kitchens by Ruby Tandoh

* Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Tomorrow's Food Culture by Emmanuel Laroche

* Eat, Drink, and Be Murray: A Feast of Family Fun and Favorites by Andy Murray

* Where the River Narrows: Classic French & Nostalgic Québécois Recipes from St. Lawrence Restaurant by J-C Poirier

* Chinese-ish: Home Cooking Not Quite Authentic, 100% Delicious by Rosheen Kaul and Joanna Hu

* Big Has HOME: Recipes from North London to North Cyprus by Hasan Semay

And we were off last week, so here’s last week’s new releases, too:

* Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking: Traditional Family Recipes From Italy’s Best Home Cooks by Vicky Bennison

* The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family by Bill, Kaitlin, Judy & Sarah Leung

* (Serious) New Cook: Recipes, Tips, and Techniques by Leah Su Quiroga and Cammie Kim Lin

* Chicano Bakes: Recipes for Mexican Pan Dulce, Tamales, and My Favorite Desserts by Esteban Castillo

* Very Good Salads: Middle-Eastern Salads and Plates for Sharing by Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan

* All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book by Christina Tosi

* Baking Imperfect by Lottie Bedlow

* Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes by Camille Wilson

* Midcentury Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America's Atomic Age by Cecelia Tichi

* The Best American Food Writing 2022 by Sohla El-Waylly