Catherine Machorro, Author at The Western Howl

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

As spring moves in and summer approaches, one may be looking for something sweet and refreshing to snack on. Whether one is entertaining a group of friends or celebrating solo, this moist gluten-free blueberry lemon cake is sure to please.

GLUTEN-FREE BLUEBERRY LEMON CAKE

Start to finish: 50 minutes

Yields: 16 servings

Gluten-free Blueberry Lemon Cake

3 ⅔ cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 ½ dairy-free milk

½ cup butter

½ cup greek yogurt

1 tbsp lemon zest, about one lemon

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, about one lemon

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tsp lemon extract, optional

½ cup fresh blueberries

Fresh Blueberry Frosting

8 ounces fresh blueberries

1 cup butter or vegan butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper. If one doesn’t have a nonstick cake pan, grease each pan with cooking spray, coconut oil or butter and lightly flour each pan by adding 1 tablespoon of extra flour per pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. In a medium bowl, mix together the dairy-free milk, butter, greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Fold the wet mixture into the dry until combined. Fold in the blueberries. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and place them in the oven to bake for 33 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.

The cakes should be completely set and bounce back at a light touch. Remove cakes from the oven and carefully invert them onto a cooling rack, then turn them right side up. Let the cakes cool completely, this should take about 30 minutes.

To make the frosting, place about 1 ½ cups of blueberries in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Stop to scrape the sides as needed, this should take a minute or two. Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth and creamy, add 1 cup of powdered sugar and beat again. Add 1 more cup of powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add ½ cup of blueberry puree and beat again until smooth. Add the remaining powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add more berry puree as desired for a creamier and parable icing, or add additional powdered sugar for a thicker and more pipe-able frosting for decorating.

When ready to frost, place one cake on a cake plate or stand. Evenly spread a 1/2 cup of the blueberry frosting on the top of the first layer. Place the second cake on top and frost the top, edges and sides of the cake with the rest of the blueberry frosting. Use the remaining berries to decorate the cake as desired.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Ticketmaster drama Implications

Written by: Gretchen Sims

When Taylor Swift announced “The Eras” tour, it is fair to say that fans were ecstatic. However, the announcement’s excitement ultimately paled in comparison to the absolute despair and heartbreak caused when Swift’s tickets finally went live.

Ticketmaster, the site that launched Swift’s tickets, could not withstand the demand and their website consequently derailed. The whole thing was a mess. Many fans were kicked off the site and most were left ticketless after waiting hours for the pre-sale to go live. However, this was just the beginning. After the Capital One pre-sale, even more Swifties swarmed the site — hoping to get their hands on the remaining tickets — only to be told that the general sale would be canceled due to unprecedented high demand.

Obviously, this caused fans worldwide to take to social media in an outraged frenzy — eventually gaining the attention of the United States Department of Justice.

Turns out, the core issue with Ticketmaster was not just poor infrastructure. In fact, the company had previously merged with one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry — Live Nation.

After the 2010 merger, many questioned the company, some even going as far as to call it a monopoly. Live Nation essentially controlled all of the concert venue markets and, once it merged with Ticketmaster — the biggest name in ticketing — it was basically the only name in the industry. However, it was not until the public outcry surrounding Swift’s Eras tour erupted that a policy window opened — one that the Senate Judiciary Committee took full advantage of.

The bipartisan antitrust hearing was held on Jan. 24, and the overall consensus was that the merger was damaging the music industry as a whole.

So what are the implications? Swift had no other resource to post her tickets to, other than one that was unable to keep up with the demand her tour would curate. If Live Nation Entertainment is ruled to be a monopoly and breaks up, then that would open up the ticket and venue markets that are currently only occupied by one corporation.

If competition is finally established, growth and improvement will be encouraged and Taylor Swift fans will no longer shed a tear when purchasing tickets for the best day of their lives.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Romen Recipes

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

If one doesn’t have at least three packets of Top Ramen in one’s cabinet, are they even a college student? Here are a few recipes to switch things up in one’s weekly ramen venture.

TOP OF THE MORNING

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

1 pack of Top Ramen (discard seasoning packet)

3 cups water

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 egg

2 slices of deli ham

½ teaspoon everything but the bagel seasoning

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon sriracha

Start by boiling water in a small pot with a lid. Once boiling, add noodles and cook for three minutes. While the noodles are cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet and fry the egg. Once noodles are cooked, strain and set aside. Chop ham into small pieces. Scramble the egg and add seasoning. Place ham into skillet while separating egg into small pieces, this should take about a minute. Add noodles, stir until combined. Plate and add sriracha.

SUPER SIMPLE

Start to finish: 12 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

1 pack of Top Ramen

3 cups water

1 egg

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon sriracha

1 teaspoon white sesame seeds

Start by boiling water in a small pot, then add the noodles. While noodles are boiling, fry an egg sunny side up with olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. When noodles are cooked, add to a bowl along with the seasoning packet, stir till combined. Place the sunny- side- up egg over top and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Drizzle with sriracha then serve.

SOUP LOVERS

Start to finish: 12 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

1 pack of Top Ramen

3 cups water

1 egg

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon mayonnaise

1 teaspoon chili oil

1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

Start by boiling water in a small pot, then add the noodles. While noodles are boiling, mix together the egg, garlic, mayonnaise, chili oil and green onion in a bowl. When noodles are cooked, add ¼ cup of the water to the mixture to cook the egg. Stir the mixture then immediately add the noodles in and enjoy.

GETTING FANCY

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

1 pack of Top Ramen (discard seasoning packet)

3 cups water

½ of a shallot, dice

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 ½ tablespoons green onion, chopped

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons of soy sauce

Start by boiling water in a small pot. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the shallot, garlic and green onion. Once the water is boiling, cook noodles for three minutes. Add the shallot, garlic and green onion into a small saucepan along with sesame oil over medium heat. After a minute, add soy sauce. By this time the noodles should be ready. Give the sauce a final stir then add in the noodles. Stir till combined. Plate and serve.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Cake

Ticketmaster drama Implications

Romen Recipes

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