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Rick O’Connell’s Pear and Polenta Tart

Pear Polenta Tart

Good Intentions

“Back in her room he said, “Didn’t have no apples. He said this was a good pear.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

One of the things I intend to do each year is to bake recipes I haven’t tried before. I’ve had this recipe from The Fannie Farmer Baking Book on my list to try for years and decided it would be my first good intention of this year. This quote from Marion Cunningham always captures my imagination. “Not truly a tart, but a wonderful creation! The yellow cornmeal crust covers pear halves, which make little hills all over. This is an outstanding recipe in every way.” The line drawings of the tart with hills made of pears are just as scrumptious as the recipe description. Just in case there were any thoughts about the worthiness of this recipe. Mr R said he could eat this tart all day long. That is quite a statement since there is absolutely no chocolate in the recipe. READ MORE . . .

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Almond Joy Energy Bars

Almond Joy Energy Bars

A Craving

“Let’s get it over and the door closed shut on it! Let’s close it like a book and go on reading! New chapter, new life.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I’m floating into the New Year. Just going to let it happen. Not swimming against the tide, not pushing against the closed doors, not going to deny the passage of time. Making a commitment to move on—no loads of heavy thoughts or remorse over unmet goals. It’s new territory and I’m happy to have an invitation to attend the opening ceremony. This year was consumed with loss and I am ready for change. I crave a new beginning. READ MORE . . .

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Rosemary Shortbread Trees

RosemaryShortbread_7669

The Best Gift

“Adam was pleased. Not even Christmas and we have presents. I wonder what it can be!”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I dream of the gift of world peace and the end of hunger. I wish for more kindness. An end to the relentless scramble to be better than, to have more. A time to be happy. If just for a moment, to pause, and be pleased with our lives. It is possible, especially if you give the best gift of all. The gift can be expensive and it takes time too. It was for me. READ MORE . . .

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Yeasted Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries, Pecans and Browned Butter

Yeasted Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries, Pecans and Browned Butter

With Gratitude and Thanksgiving — What We Have Forgotten

“Lee apologized for the dinner like an old fool. He blamed the gas oven which didn’t heat like a good wood stove. He blamed the new breed of turkeys which lacked a something turkeys used to have. But he laughed with them when they told him he was acting like an old woman fishing for compliments.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Home cooking and the gender of who cooks these meals is buzzing in the media. It’s not a new discussion though. Ever since women started working full-time outside the home, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner has been a timely topic. There’s lots more too, budgeting, planning, shopping and clean-up. Even a bold essay about not cooking at all. I’ve wanted to comment on each of these blog posts, but my response is long and conflicted. I’ve had spurts of enthusiasm with cooking too. I still do. READ MORE . . .

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Citrus Pistachio Cake — Pound Cake on Steroids

CitrusPistachioCake_7094

Green Oranges

“On the table, with candlesticks around it, was a big white cake and a box of chocolates, and beside these a basket with a magnum of champagne peeking out of crushed ice.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Before I introduce the ultimate pound cake I should explain how green oranges became this weeks obsession. Around the block from our house is a vacant lot. Mr R tells me there once was a house there. It must have been a long time ago because only the foundation, a ramshackle shed and a few trees and shrubs remain. The apples on the huge apple tree ripened early and I missed harvesting them. Across the lot a small citrus tree clings to life. It’s hugging the fence. Maybe there’s water on the other side of the property line. After I missed the apples I started keeping closer tabs on the citrus tree. I was amazed at the amount of fruit the little tree was producing. The fruit was very small, green, hard and round. At first I thought I’d found lemons that just weren’t ripening. Finally when some of the fruit began to get a touch of color and was dropping to the ground I brought one home. The exterior had a coat of dull fuzz that I scrubbed off. The fruit was a pale luminescent green inside and the juice was very bitter, but not unpleasant. I was convinced I had found a lime tree. But what I had found was a very sad orange tree with bitter fruit. READ MORE . . .