MADE-RITE MADNESS!!! Yes, I will post more about that “I am a conservative because” post. I’ve gotten some good questions in email, and welcome more comments from anyone who wants to send ’em. (And yes, I find it hilarious that Ross Douthat’s understanding of conservatism is so completely different from mine! I like Ross a lot, but… “I’m conservative because I feel fluffy about contemporary America” is just not my bag, man. See Helen’s headline for more.)

But that’s not for today. For today, you get Made-Rite recipes–so many! so conflicting! so Iowan!–which are giving me a major Made-Rite jones. My mom’s delicious recipe is super simple and includes condensed tomato soup and oatmeal. I’m guessing the oatmeal is to stretch the family’s meat budget… but it also helped give her Made-Rites a unique taste and texture I never got from other people’s boring old sloppy joes. This weekend I will engage in a bit of Made-Rite madness of my own (cinnamon seems like an obvious addition, plus maybe jalapenos or some other pepper), and post the results. OM NOM NOM NOM.

(Oh, and yes I did try the spicy honeyed bacon on parchment paper, and yes it was much prettier and just as tasty! I had to stir it more and cook it longer, but the overall dish was fantastic.)