Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Is that against the law?

Most antiquated laws had a purpose at one time or another, but a changing society has made some laws obsolete. Something that was commonplace in the eighteen and early nineteen hundreds just seems laughable and totally bizarre in this day and age.

Like in the state of Alabama, people are not allowed to drive while blindfolded. One wonders why this law was put on the books in the first place. Don’t know if the law is still in effect, so be forewarned. If you’re driving through Alabama, get rid of the blindfold.

And in the state of Florida, if a single woman parachutes out of an airplane on a Saturday, she risks doing jail-time. Doesn’t say what would happen if the woman is married, but if you’re single and traveling to Florida, stay away from airplanes and parachutes. Skydiving may be fun, but not if a police car is waiting for you on the ground.

When I googled old laws in the state of Kentucky, I found that the state had its share of dumb laws, for instance: A woman could not buy a hat without her husband’s permission. This particular ordinance leaves one to wonder why this was important enough to write into law. And if the woman had to have written proof from her husband to buy a new chapeau. Pardon me a minute, folks. I can’t stop laughing.

Throwing eggs at a public speaker could result in up to one year in prison. Even though many of us have been tempted to do this at times, have you checked the price of eggs lately?

As absurd as these laws sound, the state of Minnesota runs a close second to Kentucky. In that state, it is illegal to cross state lines with a duck on your head. This makes it tempting to walk across the state line with a duck on your noggin just to see if the law is still being enforced. At least it would get you your fifteen minutes of fame. Think of the headlines. And you may even be interviewed by Geraldo.

Saving the best for last, a town in Wisconsin has an ordinance that bans picnics with alcoholic drinks in any city cemetery. What could possibly happen if you ignored this ban? Do the lawmakers fear you might liven up the place?

Til next time, folks. It’s been a slow news week.

Rich in color and flavor, these red velvet cookies melt in your mouth.

Red Velvet Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking

chocolate, broken into pieces

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1/3 cup white sugar

1 large egg

1 tablespoon red food coloring

3/4 cup sour cream

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with the rack in the middle position. Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Break the chocolate squares into chunks, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High until the chocolate melts, about 90 seconds. Stir the chocolate until smooth and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy; pour in the egg and beat until smooth. Mix in the red food coloring and chocolate, scraping the bowl down regularly, until evenly blended, about 30 seconds. Add half of the sifted dry ingredients, stirring until well incorporated. Beat in the sour cream and mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven until they spring back when pressed, about 9 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Frost with cream cheese frosting if desired.