MNN - Mother Nature Network

Nov. 6 is the Tuesday after the first Monday of the eleventh month in a year divisible by four. In other words: Presidential Election Day. A day of monumental significance, a day in which the future of our country takes a turn one or the other, and a day of more nerves and jitters than you can shake a stick at!

 

Here are five things to prepare that will quell the butterflies making the rounds in your stomach.

 

1. Pancakes for dinner

 

 

There are few things more comforting than flipping the day around and ending it with a big mess of flapjacks. See 5 ways to fix pancakes to find recipes for Organic Oatmeal Pancakes, Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Ricotta Cinnamon Pancakes with Sauteed Apples and Moby’s Vegan Blueberry Pancakes. Refrain from prudence with the butter and syrup. (Photo: Flickr/AcquiredLife)

 

2. Macaroni and cheese

 

 

Sorry to be predictable here, but nothing — nothing — says "comfort" like macaroni and cheese. This soothing-to-the-freaked-out-soul recipe for Baked Macaroni and Cheese is guaranteed to calm your watching-the-returns anxiety. And if you manage to have any leftovers, we implore you to read 9 ways to use up leftover macaroni and cheese. Why? Let’s just put it this way: “Grilled mac n’ cheese sandwich.” (Photo: Shutterstock/Lilyana Vynogradova)

 

3. Double Baked Potatoes with Blue Cheese and Chives

 

 

4. Grown-up, boozy cupcakes

 

 

Because nothing makes people feel better than cupcakes and booze, together! These Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Baileys Frosting are naughty, naughty, naughty. And good, good, good. Just remember: Do not operate heavy machinery when under the influence of the saucy little cakes. (Photo: Flickr/Chris Blakeley)

 

5. Spiced apple crumb pie

 

 

Because few things scream, “Go, America!” like pastry dough baked with apples. Although apple pie recipes go as far back as the days of Chaucer, in the 19th and 20th centuries, apple pie became synonymous with American prosperity and national pride. So in honor of your candidate, and because apple pie tastes really, really, good …say Happy Election Day with a Spiced Apple Crumb Pie. And if that doesn't work, resort to Plan B: Spiked Apple Pie Punch. (Photo: Flickr/sleepyneko)

 

Find more recipes to soothe your election season soul with MNN's recipe archive.