Back to the Future Monday

It seems that as a nation we are taking a big step backwards in time: an increasingly unpopular war in a foreign land; a president with dwindling ratings and domestic troubles; and scandals from the past. Yesterday, in the LAT, John Dean, former WH counsel, informs us that the identity of Deep Throat may soon be revealed:

I have little doubt that one of my former Nixon White House colleagues is history's best-known anonymous source — Deep Throat. But I'll be damned if I can figure out exactly which one.

We'll all know one day very soon, however. Bob Woodward, a reporter on the team that covered the Watergate story, has advised his executive editor at the Washington Post that Throat is ill. And Ben Bradlee, former executive editor of the Post and one of the few people to whom Woodward confided his source's identity, has publicly acknowledged that he has written Throat's obituary.

Last week All the President's Men was on cable, so I wonder if Deep Throat will actually look anything close to Hal Holbrook in the 1976 movie classic. It was a fun time-trip to see working typewriters with carbon paper, wide ties, rotary telephones, bad floral-pattern blouses that look like they were meant to match the wallpaper, and endless bouts of smoking.

But when I mentioned this to a colleague at the office, she immediately recalled the "Watergate cake." What!? I hadn't realized that a culinary offering was associated with that politically infamous episode. So, for those of you who might be interested (as I was) here is the Watergate Cake recipe:

1 pkg white cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 cup 7-up or club soda
1 1 (3 oz) pistachio instant pudding
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans are the best)
1/2 cup coconut

COVER-UP ICING:
6 oz whipped topping mix (dry) (2 envelopes)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 (3 oz) ackage pistachio instant pudding
1/2 cup coconut
3/4 cup chopped nuts (use pecans if that is what you used in the cake. match the nuts)

Combine the ingredients in the order given, blending well after each addition. Pour into a 13x9-inch pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the cake tests done.

ICING: Combine the topping mix, milk and pudding. Beat until thick. Spread on the cake (the icing will be a light green color). Sprinkle with the coconut and chopped nuts.