Election Night Dinner

Whether you are watching the election returns with like-minded family, with a mixed crowd or on your own sofa, on your own, you’re going to need some serious sustenance as the numbers come in tonight. That’s one thing we can all agree on.

During the day, stress-eating won’t be out of the question. Have you heard about the free doughnuts for voters at Krispy Kreme? But the evening’s plan is going to take a little more thought.

Let’s agree on this: Our election night dinner needs to be simple, satisfying and a little bit strong. While we’re at it, let’s make it patriotic, too. An easy dinner of take-out cheese-and-tomato pizza, a Spinach Blueberry Salad and a strong, classic dry American martini does the trick. And it’s red-white-and-blue to boot. There is nothing hard about this menu (except the alcohol, which will be much-needed). Just set a calendar reminder to call your favorite pizza place after you drop by the grocery for some spinach and blueberries, and you’re set. Oh, and make sure your remote’s got new batteries; you’re probably going to be flipping channels a lot.

Comfort on days like this should be easy, because, let’s face it, red or blue, we have more pressing things to worry about than watching the oven. 

Spinach Blueberry Salad

Ingredients:

4 cups baby spinach
½ cup blueberries
½ cup toasted walnut pieces
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Recipe directions: 

Place the spinach, blueberries and walnuts in a bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss the salad with the dressing and serve immediately.

Dry Martini

Ingredients:

Crushed ice
2 ½ ounces of your favorite gin
½ ounce dry vermouth
Green olive (citrus-stuffed green olives are delicious in a martini; look for them at Central Market)

Recipe directions: 

Place the ice, gin and vermouth in a shaker, and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an olive.