Friday, November 14, 2008

A Recipe

Ahhhh, another rainy day here in South Carolina was awaiting us as we woke up this morning! As much as I enjoy these rainy days I must admit that I am very anxious for the sunshine to come back and dry things out! Tomorrow appears as though it will be rainy as well so I shall be thankful and rejoice in the rain that the Lord is sending us! We sure do need it...

As I was preparing lunch today (since Momma was gone we had a picnic consisting of peanut butter toast and carrots while watching episodes from ancient Robin Hood shows!) I observed an escapade take place in the living room between Sayre and Sawyer. I find it humorous that one is always able to tell when the boys have been cooped up inside for too long. Things begin to happen...

...the noise level escalates...
(at this point Sawyer was screaming and shrieking while Sayre was bellowing!!)

... and things begin to "go bump"! Today reminded me of "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss!
Let me re-assure you that these "antics" were very controlled lest you think that I am irresponsible while Momma is away! They calmed down as soon as I announced it was time to clean up for lunch!
I spent today finishing up some cooling cloths and gift sacks that our neighbor was in need of. I'm so glad that they are behind me as I can now move on to other things. Today was also the day for Jasper and Lila's yearly rabies shots so a trip to the Vet was in order, and since I can't manhandle both of them at once Momma went along to help out! We had a blast! :o)

I'll close this post with a recipe that I have been wanting to post for sometime. It contains cooked fruit to which I feel that I should admit that I am not a fan of. I really do want to like cooked fruit so I have been eating it whenever it is served. Since I really enjoyed this recipe, I know it must be absolutely delicious!


Rustic Autumn Fruit Tart
Found in this months Taste of Home Issue

1/2 cup butter, softened
4ounces cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium pear, peeled and thinly sliced
4-1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 cup orange juice
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup apricot jam, warmed


In a small mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add flour, beating just until mixture forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a large bowl, combine apples and pear. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and spices; stir in orange juice until smooth. Stir in brown sugar until blended. Add to apple mixture and stir gently to coat.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 14-in. circle. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spoon filling over the party to with-in 2 in. of edges. Fold up edges of pastry over filling, leaving center uncovered.
Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Spread with apricot jam. Using parchment paper, slide tart onto a wire rack to cool.
Yield 6 servings.

5 comments:

~*~Jessica~*~ said...

Wow, that tart looks yummy! You have been busy :) All of the pictures of the puppies are so sweet, they just look adorable!

I forgot to mention that I shall soon have blog again. So I will have something to link you on again! It will remind me to visit more often :)

~*~Jessica~*~

Updated by Lila Huggins (grandmother) said...

Good Saturday Morning Ashley,
YummmmmmmmmmmmmmmY Wow, that tart looks GREAT. My 10 year old grandson (Caleb) and I are going to make it tomorrow for Sunday dinner. WE have an apple and a pear tree in the back yard so the fruit will be nice and fresh. We'll get the rest of the ingredients today. You mom is very fortunate to have such a wonderful daughter. Both my daughters hated the kitchen when they were young but have made up for it since they got married. Myself, I'm going to have a blog soon and one of the contents of it will be "I Hate to Cook, but somebody's gotta do it!" LOL I really do hate to cook. Although I guess, truth be told, it's really the trying to find the receipe, making a list, shopping for ingredients, putting ingredients away, getting out ingredients again, trying to find the measuring spoons (Oh Oh Sadie,
(3yr) has them in the garden!Trying to locate the measuring cups, OK Ilana (5yr) has them in the playhouse! Messing up the kitchen, using all those dishes that now have to be washed including the whisk, which is a nightmare to wash, last but not least having that feeling of failure if it doesn't turn out even though your family tries to make you feel better by saying, "This is the greatest ___ I have ever eaten." LOL
So other than that you could say I don't really mind the actual cooking all that much.
Keep tuned in for my cookbook. Do you have any suggestions for a better name?

Have a lovely weekend my dear.
Miss Lila AKA Nannie

Sarah said...

Oh, Ashley! It looks like Sawyer and Sayre are having a blast together! Good action shots! :)

Thank you for sharing the recipe for the tart! It sounds (and looks!) good!

I hope that you have a wonderful and blessed day, Ashley!

Ashley said...

Welcome back Jessica! I will be sure to check your blog to see when you re-appear! :o)
~Ashley

Miss Lila- I hope the tart turned out for y'all!
I don't really mind cooking; I prefer to do it with someone for it's more fun that way! :o)
I hope you have a wonderful day Miss Lila!
~Ashley

Ashley said...

Thank you Sarah! A busy day is definately ahead of us but I'm sure it will be wonderful!
~Ashley